ROTHENBURGER: Coming up with the right punishment for arsonists is a challenge

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The frightening thing about that is that it means they’re likely to do it again and again. Deliberately set fires can do tremendous property damage and also obviously be life threatening.

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So what about punishment? It’s a challenging question.

An arsonist who set three fires in Burnaby has been sentenced to five years in prison plus three years’ probation after he’s released. Two of the fires resulted in more than $550,000 damage to two restaurants.

In Canada, arsonists can get as much as 10 years in prison, though that’s rare. Actual penalties seem to range quite widely across the country, from suspended sentences to serious prison time. In other countries, an arsonist might get off with a fine, but some lawmakers have pushed — unsuccessfully as far as I know — for automatic life imprisonment.

There are many questions about what factors should be considered, such as the amount of the loss. But should intentions be the main consideration, or whether or not the attempt was successful?

And, what to do with someone who has mental health challenges vs. one simply out for revenge? The result of the crime could be the same.

Me, I lean toward strong penalties and, in the case of serial arsonists, mandatory treatment as well. Aside from justice for those impacted by the crime, the main objective should be to make it stop.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.