Massachusetts: JUVENILE PROGRAM CUTS ARSON BY 67% IN DECADE

Juvenile Justice Digest, Mar 1, 2004

The Massachusetts Coalition for Juvenile Firesetter Intervention reported a 67 percent decline in fires set by troubled children between 1992 and 2001.

The nonprofit organization uses a combination of teaching techniques and counseling to help children avoid the temptation of setting fires.

The theme of the organization is that setting a fire is only a symptom of other problems that a child might have. The organization identifies the child's problem and directs the youth to agencies that can assist.

The coalition involves police, firelighters, educators, the judiciary and mental health and social services professionals.

The number of juvenile-set fires has dropped from 1,482 in 1992 to 494 in 2001.