First Responders Have Fought Spate of Arsons for 18 Months
Recent Arsons Indicate Suspect Could Be Moving From Vacant to Inhabited Buildings
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to do all it can to aid the city of Jeannette as it battles a rash of arsons. Over the last 18 months, first responders have battled a series of blazes and recent fires indicate that those setting the fires may be moving from vacant buildings to ones occupied by people.
In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Casey called on the top federal law enforcement agency to direct extra resources to the city’s first responders and continue the aid that the city is getting from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) until those responsible are caught.
“Over the last year, Jeannette’s first responders have done all they can to deal with these arsons, but they need more resources,” Casey said. “Indications that those responsible for these arsons may now be attempting to target people are a troubling sign that warrants the assistance of the federal government’s top law enforcement officials.”
Law enforcement officials are investigating 18 fires that date to May 2010, although most occurred near the end of 2011 and at the beginning of this year. More recently the fires have moved from vacant buildings to ones occupied by residents.
A full copy of Senator Casey’s letter asking the DOJ to direct more resources toward the city can be seen below:
The Honorable Eric Holder
Attorney General
United States Department of Justice
Dear Mr. Attorney General,
I write to request additional Department of Justice support for the western Pennsylvania city of Jeannette, currently investigating a rash of dangerous arsons. I have been pleased to learn of the assistance already provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, but I remain concerned that the spate of fires in Jeannette are stretching thin local law enforcement and first responder resources. Please direct any available Department resources to supplement existing local, state and federal efforts to bring an end to this frightening situation by augmenting the investigation in Jeannette.
According to news reports, since May 2010, more than eighteen fires have been started maliciously in Jeannette, a city with a population under 10,000. While the majority of attacks have targeted abandoned buildings, an act of arson on March 28, 2012 destroyed an apartment building occupied by four families. Apparently started around 4:00 AM, eight adults and two children awoke and fled the building to safety. In another instance, two teenage boys narrowly escaped a fire intentionally set in the basement of a home. As calls to my office from Jeannette’s residents have made clear, these acts remain a matter of deep concern for the local community.
As local and state police seek the perpetrator of these attacks, I request that the Department identify ways for ATF or other agencies to further support the investigation in Jeannette. I look forward to building upon the assistance your Department has already provided to pursue a speedy conclusion to this outbreak of arsons in Jeannette.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
