Wellsville Crime Watch Committee

Thursday - Sept. 16: The Crime Watch Committee held their regular monthly meeting on the 16th at Wellsville Village Hall. Committee President Janet Taggart presided. There were eight people in attendance.

Wellsville Volunteer Fireman/Paramedic/Nursing Student Marty Thorn, pictured above, presented a program about arson. Thorn was a full-time Village fireman from August, 2002, until he resigned last November to pursue his Nursing Degree as a full-time student. He has continued to be a member of the WVFD. He's also a six year paramedic for a local ambulance county. Thorn related he has 11 years experience working various hospitals.

Thorn reported there are many different reasons the crime of arson is committed ranging insurance fraud, vandalism, attempts to cover another crime committed to a mentally sick thrill seeker. He discussed the various tell tale signs that firemen look for to determine if a fire is suspected arson or simply an accidental fire. Once the cause of a fire is suspected to be arson the State Fire Marshall is called in. The Marshall will visit the scene of the fire, conduct investigations and work with the local Fire Dept. He has the authority to make arrests in cases of arson. Arson is classified a felony crime by Ohio Revised Code. Committing arson can result in prison time for the offender or mandatory therapy in some instances. In the case of a child arsonist the nation wide Juvenile Fire Starter program that involves intense therapy at the local level is used. It depends on the severity and individual child.

Wellsville's Juvenile Police Officer Marsha Eisenhart has trained to provide this program if needed. When asked not long ago she told us it's proven very successful with cases she has handled. The Crime Watch Committee has donated to this program in the past.

In the Business portion of the meeting new member Jim Lawrence was welcomed. Taggart announced the next meeting there will be an introduction of Wellsville's newest canine officer named "Riot". The dog was born August 11 and will be teamed up with WPD Officer Tony Mancuso as soon as he's weaned. Once the pup is old enough their training will begin. The dog was itself a gift to Wellsville. A donation fund to help defray costs involved for the Village has been started.

Next schedule meeting is Thursday, October 21 at 6 P.M. at Wellsville Village Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Stop in and meet "Riot".

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