DURING THE LAST 25 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS LIVING PAST THE AGE OF 65 HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. BETWEEN 1950 AND 1970, THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY IN NEW YORK STATE ALONE ROSE BY 56 PERCENT. UNTIL RECENTLY, MOST CRIME SURVEYS REVEALED THAT THOSE OVER 65 WERE LESS LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED THAN OTHER AGE GROUPS IN SOCIETY. HOWEVER, IN THE LAST 3 YEARS (1974-77), STATISTICS INDICATE THAT THE ELDERLY ARE MORE FREQUENTLY BECOMING VICTIMS OF CRIME. THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES INITIATED IN NEW YORK STATE TO STEM THIS TIDE OF CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY AND TO ASSIST ELDERLY VICTIMS OF CRIMES. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT OUTLINES INITIATIVES THAT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SHOULD UNDERTAKE BUT HAVE NOT YET DONE SO. THE REPORT IS ORGANIZED INTO FOUR SECTIONS WHICH: (1) PROVIDE A STATISTICAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEM AND REASONS WHY THE ELDERLY ARE LIKELY VICTIMS OF CRIME; (2) REVIEW THE STATEWIDE PROGRAMS WHICH THE GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE, DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, OFFICE FOR THE AGING, CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION BOARD, AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES HAVE DEVELOPED TO ASSIST THE ELDERLY; (3) EXAMINE THE PREVENTION AND ASSISTANCE INITIATIVES OF VARIOUS LOCALITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE; AND (4) OUTLINE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS AND ASSOCIATED COSTS WHICH THE NEW YORK CRIME CONTROL PLANNING BOARD INTENDS TO CONSIDER DURING 1978. NINE APPENDIXES -- ONE REVIEWING PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE CRIME CONTROL BOARD TO ASSIST THE ELDERLY AND EIGHT CONTAINING COPIES OF LEGISLATION REGARDING CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY -- ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)