PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
JOINT RESOLUTION DECLARING THE WEEK OF MAY 3, 2015 AS MAINE ARSON AWARENESS WEEK
WHEREAS, May 3 to May 9, 2015 has been recognized as National Arson Awareness Week and its theme is Accelerant Detection Canines - Sniffing Out Arson; and
WHEREAS,  according to the United States Fire Administration, from 2010 to 2012, an estimated 17,400 intentionally set fires in residential buildings were reported to fire departments across the country each year and these fires resulted in 275 civilian deaths, 800 civilian injuries and $513,000,000 in property loss; and
WHEREAS,  from 2010 to 2012, an estimated 9,000 intentionally set fires occurred in nonresidential buildings each year and these fires resulted in $282,000,000 in property loss; and
WHEREAS,  according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from 2009 to 2013, there was an average of 53,127 arsons reported with an average dollar loss of $15,086 per incident; and
WHEREAS,  in 2014, arsons in the State resulted in 7 fatalities, 12 injuries and over $2,085,000 in property loss; and
WHEREAS,  the use of accelerant detection canines at the scene of a fire saves time and money by allowing accelerants to be identified with fewer evidence samples and this efficiency reduces laboratory expenditures, speeds up investigations and provides a higher conviction rate; and
WHEREAS,  the investigative skills of K-9 teams have a direct effect on the successful prosecution of arson cases and K-9 teams are one of the most beneficial tools in the fight against the crime of arson; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Legislature now assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to recognize the week of May 3, 2015 as Maine Arson Awareness Week and to recognize the contributions accelerant detection canines make to fire departments, law enforcement agencies and their communities.