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What now for arsonists?

When the heat has subsided arsonists will get a year in jail and a taxpayer-funded appeal against the severity of the sentence. Talk now of murder charges is nothing more than law-and-order grandstanding, because a murder charge, which requires intent, is very unlikely to stick when a murder charge often does not survive against someone who kills by stabbing. But arsonists can cause more death and destruction than terrorists.

Tossing a lit cigarette butt from a car in times of serious to extreme fire risk is hardly less than arson, and when people are killed in the ensuing fire hardly less than manslaughter. Yet many smokers do it as a matter of course. Just a few minutes ago I watched a woman from an office opposite my window toss her lit butt into the gutter. Yes, the gutter is not bush, but it was a gesture of her entitlement to toss lit butts to the ground. The answer to the risk posed by smokers is education and relentless fining, neither of which we have.

The answer to arsonists is much harder. Perhaps we need a community watch to identify people who seem intent on lighting fires, and that would be most effective if they could be locked up at the beginning of summer each year. Intervention, counselling, would have to help.

The danger now is that some arsonists will be encouraged by the sheer force of the firestorm that ripped through Victoria at the weekend. If they were seeking impact, they succeeded.

Is there an answer? Longer sentences? Mandatory sentencing for arsonists?

Posted By: Jeff Corbett on 10/02/2009 4:19:23 PM | Comments (25)

comments

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Jeff, when 'circumstances' become compelling enough, the lawmakers can implement change pretty fast (remember the provisions that came into force for detaining terrorists or terrorism suspects?...). I reckon most of these 'deliberately lit' fires aren't cigarette butts or bits of glass. They're outright arson. Sure, maybe it's thrillseekers chasing some entertainment, watching the fire fighters sweat it out. But they MUST know that there is always the risk of catastrophe. Longer sentences, MANDATORY prison terms, and manslaughter / murder charges are all warranted. Will the Victorian tragedy provide the necessary wherewithal to implement change?

Posted by StopPayingTheBludgers, 10/02/2009 5:04:54 PM

They should be made to ride a pushbike in the centre of Apple Tree Road. By the way, I "deliberately" gave way to a cyclist this morning. Was that "unreasonable"?

Posted by moron, 11/02/2009 6:40:21 AM

I would love to say burn or slowly roast the arsonists as what has happened is so shocking. But perhaps burning all their possessions and their relatives possessions in front of them might work? However I am going to assume these people have a severe mental illness that has not been identified or diagnosed. That is the only reasonable explanation that I can come up with as to why anyone would do it. And with our mental health laws, they would wouldn't be treated anyway, they might get hospitalised for a week or two, till shuffled out the door onto a community treatment order. So once again the community has to 'manage' them.

Posted by leahkf, 11/02/2009 8:24:41 AM

i think the solution there should be mandatory sentencing for arsonists. i also think tv stations should stop showing footage the flames which must make those prone to committing arson just long to start a fire of their own. now back to tattooes - i think that arsonists (in fact all criminalsl) could have their crimes tattood onto their forehead or some visible part of their body. surely you would be in favour of this Jeff?

Posted by senior sergeant smith, 11/02/2009 8:57:06 AM

I agree with you Jeff that Murder charges would not stick, but Homicide has other factors such as Man Slaughter, where reckless intent causing death could be proven. Hence Manslaughter has sentencing of ten years. This is the only stiff option available to the courts. How quick is it for the arsonist to re-offend, and we have plenty of these sick puppies getting around. Once identified these guys (never heard off a woman charged with lighting up the bush) when released they could be electroniclly tracked for life, with strict conditions, where they could be. I just don't get the mentallity of mass destruction. It would be easy to say shoot the pests, but I'm afraid my heart isn't in it.

Posted by Buell, 11/02/2009 9:11:01 AM

The Herald today on page 9 has an interesting article by the deputy head of Newcastle University's law school, John Anderson, who says that death in a deliberately lit fire could be murder. Worth reading.

Posted by Jeff Corbett on 11/02/2009 9:17:45 AM

its good to see moron living up to his or her name.

Posted by senior sergeant smith, 11/02/2009 9:21:14 AM

Don't blame the arsonists -the devil did it if you beleive this bloke: http://www.smh.com.au/national/ab ortion-laws-allowed-devil-t o-destroy-pastor-20090210-83i8.ht ml

Posted by Directeur Sportif, 11/02/2009 9:31:16 AM

Thank you for the compliment senior sergeant smith. You should be aware that it is impossible to hurt my feelings, as I have none.

Posted by moron, 11/02/2009 10:55:37 AM

no worries moron. i think it is possible to hurt your feelings but you keep it up wrapped up inside. you might note that i have promoted myself to d.i. now not just senior sergeant and i have buell to thank for that as per the blogs on tattooes.

Posted by d.i. smith, 11/02/2009 11:32:46 AM

Congratulations d.i. smith. If you can penetrate my thick hide you will be elevated to commissioner.

Posted by moron, 11/02/2009 12:08:37 PM

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