House passes arson registry bill
U.S. Forest Service firefighters monitor a back fire August 31, 2009 in La Crescenta, California.
The House of Representatives Wednesday passed a measure that could make it easier to track down serial arsonists. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde has the details.
Kitty Felde: The bill’s been in the works since the deadly Esperanza Fire in Riverside County three years ago. Five firefighters with U.S. Forest Service lost their lives in that arson fire. The man who set the fire was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
But Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack says only one arsonist in five is caught and convicted. The Republican from Palm Springs says she met with fire officials to ask how Congress could help.
Mary Bono Mack: They told me how a central database would provide them with invaluable information in tracking arsonists, more especially serial arsonists.
Felde: Bono Mack and Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff of Pasadena co-sponsored a national arson registry bill. It would create a central database to track serial arsonists. The House passed the measure on a voice vote. The measure now goes to the Senate.
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- Mary Bono Mack argues for bill
- Adam Schiff argues for bill
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