Family of juvenile arsonist may owe $20,000 to the fire department

By Daniel Wolowiczdanielw@theacorn.com

SAVING A PARK AND HOMES—A Ventura County firefighter helps put out a Thousand Oaks brushfire. A 14-year-old T.O. male was arrested the afternoon of July 12 for allegedly starting the blaze in Oakbrook Park, off East Avenida de Los Arboles and Kensington Avenue in Thousand Oaks. His parents, officials said, may be liable for damages and the costs of fighting the fire. The recent arrest of a 14-yearold Thousand Oaks teenager for allegedly starting a brushfire in Thousand Oaks will launch a lengthy legal process that may result in an extended probation for the teen and thousands of dollars in restitution payments for his parents.

Under California law, parents are financially responsible for any crimes committed by a child under the age of 18.

Robert Ashby, a county officer with the Ventura County Fire Protection District, said if the teenager is found to be guilty, the cost of damages for the Thousand Oaks fire may run between $15,000 and $20,000.

The brushfire started the afternoon of Tues., July 12 in Oakbrook Park, off East Avenida de Los Arboles and Kensington Avenue in T.O., according to fire department officials.

Supported by a helicopter, more than 50 firefighters from five different Ventura County fire departments started arriving on scene at 2:39 p.m. and extinguished the four-acre blaze before it damaged nearby homes.

Ashby said the helicopter, which is contracted from the sheriff’s department, costs about $1,300 an hour.

Thousand Oaks Detective Allen Devers said the teenager was arrested in the vicinity of the fire and was released to his parents after he was interviewed by law enforcement officers.

Mary Carpenter, a senior probation deputy officer for East County juvenile services, said although juvenile law is complicated, it’s standard procedure in Ventura County for the fire departments to file civil suits against the parents of juveniles who started the fires.

In cases involving arson, Carpenter said that fire investigators with the Ventura County Fire Department will determine the dollar loss from property damages and the total cost of fire department equipment and personnethat were required to put out the blaze.

Ashby, who works for the county and is assessing the costssaid the rates to pay fire personnel and equipment costs are determined by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, which reevaluates the rates every year.

With help from Ventura County’s county counsel, the fire department may file a civil lawsuit against an arsonist, calling for payment of the expenses associated with fighting the fire, including damages. If the arsonist is a juvenile, the county may sue the youth’s parents for payment.

Ashby said an Ojai fire started by two teens in 1999 cost their parents nearly $1.5 million.

Carpenter said, however, thamost teenagers get probation when they’re convicted of firstoffense arson.

“In most cases, a judge will nosentence a youth to a juvenile facility unless it’s a serious, violent crime,” Carpenter said. “But what many people don’t realize is that probation is not just a slap on the wrist. Terms for probation can be extensive and costly. It’s not