Monday, June 05, 2000
Dayton increase in arson rate mystifying
By
The Associated Press
DAYTON, Ohio — Arson investigators cannot explain why the city's arson rate is increasing while the statewide and national rates are decreasing.
Dayton set a local record last year with 285 arsons, and arsons have increased 4 percent in the city since 1995, the Dayton Daily News reported Sunday.
“Over the last few years we've definitely seen an increase in arsons,” said Bruce VanDorpe, su pervisor of the city's arson investigation unit. “I don't have an idea why. We just have to take the good with the bad.”
Authorities say some of the leading motives for arson beyond juvenile vandalism are revenge or spite, mental illness, profit and the intent to conceal another crime.
From 1995 through 1998, the number of arson offenses in the United States decreased by 18 percent, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Report.
During the same period, the Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office in Reynoldsburg reports arson statewide decreased by 30 percent.
In the first four months of this year, Dayton had 96 arsons, and investigators predict another all-time high this year.
“We can't continue in this mode; something is going to have to give,” ” Mr. VanDorpe said.
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