STATE COLLEGE – Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today he has re-introduced a bill aimed at preventing and fighting arson crimes in Pennsylvania.
Conklin said the measure (H.B. 2084) would create a statewide registry of convicted arsonists by requiring them to register their name, Social Security number and contact information with local authorities.
“This would help police forces track where convicted arsonists live and work,” Conklin said. “Arson is known to be a habitual crime, so if we can create more deterrents from potential arsons and re-offenders committing the same crime again, we will all be safer.”
In 2007, there were 31,000 structure fires set by arsonists in the United States, causing more than 600 deaths.
“This crime has devastating effects,” Conklin said. “Homes, businesses and structures are destroyed, but furthermore, lives are put in danger and sadly too many are lost.
“Fighting an arson fire puts an unnecessary burden on firefighters and police forces. If a life is lost as a result of fighting an arson fire, that takes the crime to an entirely different level. Under state law, an arsonist who is convicted of setting a fire that also results in death can be charged with homicide.”
Conklin added he introduced similar legislation in 2008 and his renewing his call for its passage in response to a growing number of arson crimes in the Centre Region.
“In Clearfield County alone this year, firefighters have responded to an estimated 30 arsons or suspected arsons in the southern part of the county and in other counties, including Indiana and Cambria,” Conklin said. “That’s 30 too many.”
In October, firefighter Roy Westover of the Westover Area Volunteer Fire Company died of a heart attack after fighting a fire suspected to be set by an arsonist.
“This is the case of a true public servant whose life was taken unnecessarily and too soon,” Conklin said. “We need to attack this problem aggressively so we aren’t faced with more tragic results and our law enforcement can be better armed to curb these horrible acts.”
The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.