NYCAC

Chapter 3 - ARSON STRIKE FORCE¶

Section 15-301¶

Section 15-301

  § 15-301 Declaration of policy. The council finds that within the past
several  years there have been increasing incidences of arson which have
endangered life and property in some areas of the city; that deaths  and
serious  injuries  to  many  persons  have  resulted  therefrom and much
property  has  been  destroyed;  that  extensive  areas  of   burned-out
buildings  now  blight  parts  of  the  city;  that  arson  hastens  the
deterioration of communities; that residents are compelled  to  flee  to
other areas; that businesses and commercial enterprises are compelled to
close,  many never to open again; that fire insurance premiums increase;
and that drastic steps are necessary  to  prevent  the  spread  of  this
problem  to other areas of the city. The council hereby declares that it
is imperative that a permanent arson strike force  be  established  that
will foster greater cooperation between the various city agencies in the
battle to control the arson problem that confronts the city.

Section 15-302¶

Section 15-302

  §  15-302  Composition.  The mayor shall appoint an arson strike force
which shall be chaired by a representative of  the  mayor's  office  and
shall  consist  of representatives of the department, police department,
department of human resources, department of  housing  preservation  and
development,  department  of  finance  and  such  supportive staff as is
necessary.

Section 15-303¶

Section 15-303

  §  15-303  Reports.  The strike force shall submit an annual report in
September of each year to the mayor and the council. Such  report  shall
include any findings and recommendations of the strike force.

Section 15-304¶

Section 15-304

  §  15-304  Reward for information leading to arson conviction: posting
notices. a. The city hereby  offers  a  reward  of  not  more  than  one
thousand  dollars  per  conviction  to  any  person  or  persons  giving
information leading to the  detection,  arrest  and  conviction  of  any
person  or  persons  guilty  of  arson, attempted arson or conspiracy to
commit arson, or felony murder arising in connection with arson.
  b. The offer made herein subject to and  limited  by  availability  of
funds  appropriated  therefore and shall be paid only if no other reward
is paid by the city for information leading to detections,  arrests  and
convictions  arising  from  the same incident of arson, attempted arson,
conspiracy to commit arson or felony murder arising from arson.
  c. The commissioner is authorized to publish the offer  made  by  this
section  by means of posters or any other appropriate medium. Subject to
the approval of the corporation counsel, the commissioner may  determine
the form in which the offer is to be published.
  d.  The  commissioner  is  authorized  to place posters containing the
offer made by this section on public property.
  e. Subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in subdivisions
a and b of this section, the commissioner, in  his  or  her  discretion,
shall  determine  the  amount payable and certify to the comptroller the
name of the person or persons to whom the reward shall be  made  payable
and  the  amount  to  be paid. If a reward is to be made payable to more
than one person for the same information, the certification may  specify
that payment is to be made jointly to the persons so named.
  f.  The  comptroller shall pay such reward as a claim against the city
from the funds appropriated therefor by warrant to the person or persons
named in such certification.
  g. The offer made by this section shall not be available: (1)  to  any
person employed by or having auxiliary status or other membership in any
police  or fire department or other law enforcement agency in the state;
or
  (2) to any  person  who  has  obtained  the  information  directly  or
indirectly  from  a member of any police or fire department or other law
enforcement agency in the state.