American Notes CRIME

Nestled in New Hampshire's White Mountains, Jefferson (pop. 880) is a New England version of Garrison Keillor's fictional Lake Wobegon. These days, however, Jefferson's calm has been shattered by a real-life nightmare that might have been concocted by Horror Novelist Stephen King. Since May, 19 fires have destroyed or damaged seven homes and a motel, injuring three residents. Authorities believe the fires were set by a local arsonist.

Last week Governor John Sununu stepped in. Two additional fire investigators and six police investigators are patrolling the community. The next day, in what looked like a taunt, the arsonist struck again, igniting a vacant cabin.

Homeowners now eye neighbors with suspicion. Some families sleep in shifts. Others have rigged their homes with booby traps attached to guns. Says Jefferson's state senator, Charles Bond: "We're under siege. We have 800 citizens who are afraid to leave their homes even though they know they are potential homicide victims if they stay."