Title
To declare the week of May 1 through 7, 2017 Arson Prevention Week in Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, Each year for National Arson Awareness Week, the U.S. Fire Administration gathers and shares information to raise awareness of arson or youth fire setting and provide individuals with strategies to combat these problems in their community; and
WHEREAS, The theme of this year's Arson Awareness Week is “Reducing Residential Arson”; and
WHEREAS, Five percent of all residential building fires were set intentionally, more than 20,000 fires annually; and
WHEREAS, These fires result in over 300 deaths, over 800 injuries, and over $500 million in damages; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus Division of Fire is dedicated to investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of these extremely dangerous crimes; and
WHEREAS, We will use the week of May 1-7 to share information about the dangers of residential arson and promote safe strategies for those impacted by home fires; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare May 1-7, 2017 as Arson Awareness Week and encourages all citizens to learn more about the immense toll arson takes on our community, with steps they can take to help prevent it.