BOGALUSA - In a period of less than two weeks last month, there were two separate arson fires in Bogalusa.
That didn't really surprise Fire Chief Roy Adcox.
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"There's a large number of set fires in Washington Parish and, in particular, Bogalusa," said Adcox. "Set fires have always been a problem, and it seems to be holding at a steady rate."
One thing that isn't holding steady is the number of arson fires that get noticed.
"The Bogalusa Fire Department (BFD) has increased it's training of personnel to be aware of what to look for at fires," said Adcox. "That way, a fire that is declared incendiary and could not have happened accidentally, or is suspicious in nature, is investigated further. That's resulted in an increased number of reported arson fires, which, in turn, has increased the number of arson investigations and arrests."
Fewer local arsonists are getting away with their crimes, he said.
The profile of the perpetrators varies. People set fires for different reasons, said Adcox.
"In a majority of the local cases the motive has been spite or revenge," he said. "Those are usually domestic in nature."
The BPD has also dealt with crime concealment fires, including one on Second Avenue in March. The nephew of the owner reportedly confessed to starting that fire. It was determined he did it to cover up a burglary of the residence.
Local arsonists also include juvenile fire setters, "offenders who are usually fascinated with fire and do not realize the consequences of their act until it is too late," said Adcox.
"Excitement, a mental issue, and insurance fraud, arson for profit, have also been encountered," he said.
Because spite/revenge and crime concealment arsons are often spur of the moment acts, there's little that can be done to stop them, according to the chief. But prevention measures can certainly work with the kids, he said.
In 2006, the BFD initiated Junior Firesetters, a program to identify and educate young children who have "committed fire acts, no matter how small the fire."
"Most fire setters start with small fires, and as their interest grows the fires they set become larger," said Adcox. "The department also gives fire safety classes in elementary schools each fall. But some of these offenders have been very young, even as young three years old. And they've not yet been exposed to the classes."
While prevention is part of the overall plan, the BFD is not just stopping fires etters. It's catching them. And it's prepared to do the job right.
"All fires that occur in Bogalusa will be thoroughly investigated by a knowledgeable and experienced team of investigators from the Bogalusa Fire Department and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office," said Adcox.
Twenty-three of the 32 cases of arson reported in Bogalusa since July 2005 have been closed, he said. That includes four arrests this year.
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