Reported by the North County Times (July, 2006):The arson registry list, which is maintained by the California Department of Justice, has 3,761 offenders registered statewide as of June, 2006.The arson registry list is managed by the Sex Offender Tracking Program and is significantly smaller than the sex registrant list, which has 108,000 offenders statewide by comparison.
Texas Voices members wonder whether the conditions and restrictions imposed upon registered “arsonists” are similar to those unrealistic and unnecessary restrictions imposed upon registered “sex offenders.”
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The following terms and conditions apply to those who are required to register on the statewide arson registry: (Go ahead, have a good chuckle….)
*No outdoor flames at your place of residence. Offenders are prohibited from burning trash and/or brush, owning a barbeque pit, and participating in any outdoor activity including campfires and wiener roasts; bonfires are totally out of the question.
* Residency restrictions: The offender may not reside within 2500 feet of any wooden structure (including structures with wooden decking, shingles, or a boardwalk), a forest, a sawmill, or a fire department. Exposure to restricted areas may excite pyromaniac tendencies and significantly increase recidivism risk.
* The residence in which you reside can only be constructed of brick, steel, or mortar. If you are unable to comply with the living restrictions, you may be required to move to a desert area.
* Offenders are prohibited from purchasing lighters, cigarettes (don’t even think about lighting one up), ash trays, matches, candles (no more birthday cakes), fire starters, lighter fluid, etc.
*The offender shall not come within 500 feet of a fire safety zone. Fire safety zones include Burger King or any restaurant where there may be flame broiled food, businesses selling propane, and oil refineries as there is a continuous flame of poisonous gas.
*Offenders are prohibited from attending the circus as flame-throwers and fire-eaters are common attractions.
* Offenders shall not attend movies that may have pyromania explicit activity or content. Towering Inferno and Back Draft are just two examples. There must be no funny car or top fuel dragster races as the cars are powered by jet fuel, and flames are emitted by these vehicles.
* An offender whose home is equipped with a gas stove, gas heater, gas water heater, gas dryer, fireplace, or wood burning heater will be required to move or replace all of these with electric appliances or devices.
* These rules are subject to change depending on the mood of your probation/parole officer.
*Probation/parole officers have full authority and can check your home, car, belongings, and breath for any odor of smoke.
* Any violation could result in revocation and loss of all of your constitutional rights.