By Marilyn Lewis -
Arson is nothing new in Detroit. It’s a time-honored weapon of the angry, vengeful, distressed and dispossessed in a city that gets hurt harder and sooner than others, making it a perfect place to spot early evidence of stress from the real-estate meltdown.
In California, a state hit particularly hard by foreclosures, insurance companies must tell the state within 60 days if they suspect a fire is “questionable.” Last year, more than 120 reports were filed, and in 14 foreclosure was named a possible factor. The previous year, just 70 reports were filed, with seven citing foreclosure, says the state insurance commissioner’s office. (Not all reports become arson cases.)
In Stockton, Calif., where foreclosures are rampant, Deputy District Attorney J.C. Weydert is wondering whether he’s looking at an arson trend or just a coincidence.Weydert, a prosecutor with San Joaquin County’s Economic Crimes/Insurance Fraud Unit, usually handles a residential arson case every two or three years. “Now I’ve got two in the pipeline,” he says.
WestCoast 911 story source: MSN.com / Read Entire Article
The Inland Empire seems to be getting hit pretty hard with foreclosures and a stressed economy. The fire in our local area have certainly picked up. It is looking like it is going to be a real busy year for West Coast Firefighters.Â
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