ADOPTED - APRIL 15, 2003

Agenda Item No. 32

Introduced by the Law Enforcement Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION DECLARING THE WEEK OF MAY 4-10, 2003 AS "ARSON AWARENESS WEEK" IN INGHAM COUNTY

RESOLUTION #03-103

WHEREAS, arson is a serious crime that impacts every Michigan citizen and can only be controlled when we realize the severe damage arson causes to our state and individual communities; and

WHEREAS, these blazes erode the tax base and cause a severe loss to our cities villages, and neighborhoods, and can kill and destroy property; and

WHEREAS, arson can disrupt our educational system, destroy irreplaceable historical buildings and render our natural resources useless for long periods of time; and

WHEREAS, arson kills innocent people and causes countless injuries; and

WHEREAS, direct costs of arson are estimated by the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee to be over $222 million annually in Michigan alone causing a significant impact on insurance premiums and tax dollars that must be spent to pay for extinguishing and investigating these maliciously set fires

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby declare the week of May 4-10, 2003 as "Arson Awareness Week" in Ingham County.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners urge all citizens to help support the efforts of the local police and fire departments in preventing arson.

LAW ENFORCEMENT: Yeas: De Leon, Schor, Grebner, Stid, Schafer

Nays: None Absent: Minter Approved 4/3/03