Louisiana Chapter
International Association
of arson Investigators
The following is a copy of an editorial written in 2002 by then Louisiana IAAI President Daniel Hebert
and printed in the New Orleans Times Picayune
ARSON IS NOT A VICTIMLESS CRIME; IT COSTS US ALL
As president of the Louisiana Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, I am saddened to see seven Pearl River firefighters setting fires ("Firefighter pleads guilty to arson," March 19).
At a time when firefighters are finally receiving the recognition they deserve, this small group has managed to chip away at the respect that has been earned with courage and blood.
I am also disheartened to see the prevailing attitudes of some across the nation, who see arson as a victimless crime and offer probation in lieu of jail time.
Five hundred thousand fires, or about one in every four fires in this country today, are intentionally set. Fires set in vacant buildings are a problem across America.
Nationally, three in every four vacant building fires are classified as incendiary.
Firefighters are three times more likely to be injured fighting a vacant building fire than an ordinary structure fire.
The fires these Pearl River firefighters set are being characterized as affecting vacant structures. The truth is one of the fires was a forest fire that burned out of control for three days.
There was also a trailer home a nice brick home that was vacant because of divorce proceedings and a house that was vacant because it was still being built.
If you think arson is a "victimless" crime, let’s see how you feel when your homeowner’s insurance premiums are due.
Daniel Hebert
President,
LA IAAI