Full Notification

Arson Awareness Week

On April 27, 2011 the Mayor of the City of Folsom proclaimed the week of May 1 - 7, 2011 as Arson Awareness Week. By this action, the City of Folsom has joined thousands of communities throughout the nation in participating in National Arson Awareness Week. This year’s theme, “Working Together to Extinguish Arson”, focuses on the need for a collaborative effort between public safety and the community in combating the crime of arson and particularly, the effectiveness of Neighborhood Watch groups in this effort.

Arson affects everyone - no exclusions. Workers lose jobs, towns and cities lose tax dollars, and people are injured or killed. Citizens are becoming aware of the negative impact of arson on national and state economies; they are realizing that an effective battle against arson will be accomplished only when individuals and groups take action.

Like many crimes, arson is frequently a crime of opportunity. Many of the same steps that you can take to reduce the likelihood of being a victim of crimes such as burglary will help to reduce the chances of being a target of an arsonist. These steps include:

• Secure your home and garage by locking doors, windows and gates. Make sure that windows, screens and doors can be opened easily from inside, if needed for escape.
• Trim shrubs from doors and windows to improve visibility.
• Leave outside lights on when it's dark.
• Team up with neighbors to form a "Neighborhood Watch" group. Contact the Folsom Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at (916) 351-3409, or the Volunteer desk at (916) 351-3536.
• Clear garages of materials that could fuel a fire. Eliminate wastepaper, piles of grass weeds, litter and other combustibles from areas around buildings.

Always report suspicious behaviors to the police. Like burglars, many arsonists “case” their targets prior to setting a fire. If you observe a fire, pay attention to people around the fire or leaving the scene. Take note of their appearance and clothing and give that information to police officers or fire investigators. Many arsonists remain at the scene of a fire, and if they leave, frequently return to watch firefighting activities.

For information on National Arson Awareness Week and the steps you can take to prevent and deter arson, visit the United States Fire Administration’ website at: www.usfa.fema.gov/aaw/.