Title
To declare the week of May 4, 2008 National Arson Awareness Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, arson is a serious crime that affects each and every person and can only be stopped when citizens realize the severe damage that arson causes; and
WHEREAS, Toylike or novelty lighters are dangerous, and often deadly, in the hands of children; and
WHEREAS, Toylike or novelty lighters have been responsible for injuries, deaths, and accidents across the nation, and children are attracted to novelty lighters because they look like toys; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that 13,900 structure fires were caused by children playing with a heat source in the United States, resulting in 210 civilian deaths, 1,250 civilian injuries and $339 million in direct damage; and
WHEREAS, In the past four years, the Columbus Division of Fire Arson Section investigated approximately 100 structure fires caused by children playing with a heat source which resulted in property damage over $1 million; and
WHEREAS, arson fires jeopardize the lives of Columbus citizens and emergency service personnel; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Fire stresses the importance of citizens being aware of arson and how it affects everyone, especially children; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare the week of May 4-10, 2008 as National Arson Awareness Week and encourages all citizens to learn more about the tremendous toll arson takes on our community and our nation and to commit themselves to prevention efforts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to the Columbus Division of Fire with our esteem.