Burnin' Down the House: The 2007 Recession and the Effect on Arson. Issue 5 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Powell, Zachary A.
• Is Part Of: Deviant behavior. Volume 39:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 553
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Deviant behavior -- Periodicals; 302.54205
• DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2016.1269554
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-9625

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In the economics and housing literature, the narrative of the "arsonist for profit" is popularized, where a would-be offender destroys personal property for financial gain. More of than not, arson is expected to increase during periods of economic decline. Over a 12-year period, data on this crime and other demographic variables were collected for 264 counties to study the impact of the 2007 recession on this firesetting. The analyses herein find no support for the profiting arsonist. Implications for future research in this area are discussed.