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SENIOR CITIZENS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO CRIME PREVENTION

NCJ Number
55391
Editor(s)
B RODGERS, P C MONGILLO, H C LEE
Date Published
1978
Length
96 pages
Annotation
THIS PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN, CONN., WORKSHOP ON CRIME PREVENTION AND THE ELDERLY IS INTENDED FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND OLDER PEOPLE AND PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PROBLEM.
Abstract
ELDERLY VICTIMIZATION IS PARTICULARLY TRAUMATIC BECAUSE OLDER PEOPLE ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO PHYSICAL INJURY AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LOW INCOMES. ELDERLY MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED THAN ELDERLY WOMEN, BUT OLDER PEOPLE HAVE THE LOWEST RATE OF VICTIMIZATION FOR EVERY CRIME EXCEPT POCKET PICKING AND PURSE SNATCHING; THEY ARE LEAST LIKELY TO BECOME THE VICTIMS OF A PERSONAL CRIME INVOLVING ASSAULT OR THE USE OF A WEAPON. HOWEVER, CRIMES OF A BUNCO AND CONFIDENCE NATURE ARE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY DIRECTED TOWARD THE ELDERLY. OLDER PEOPLE DO NOT PERCEIVE THE CRIME RATE TO BE ANY HIGHER THAN OTHER AMERICANS; THEY ARE MORE AFRAID OF CRIME AND THUS ARE MORE LIKELY TO CURTAIL THEIR ACTIVITIES. ABOUT HALF THE OFFENSES AGAINST THE ELDERLY ARE UNREPORTED; VICTIMS SURVEYED INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT REPORT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF PROOF, THE INCIDENT WAS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO REPORT, AND BECAUSE THE POLICE DID NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED. CRIMES ARE INTRARACIAL BUT USUALLY ARE COMMITTED BY OFFENDERS WHO DID NOT KNOW THEIR VICTIMS. CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGIES ARE OUTLINED FOR THE SENIOR CITIZEN. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CRIMES OF VIOLENCE STRESS PREVENTION RATHER THAN SELF-DEFENSE. THEY INCLUDE CARRYING A WHISTLE, STAYING ALERT, NOT SLEEPING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND BEING PREPARED TO GIVE UP A PURSE TO AVOID INJURY. STEPS TO SECURE THE HOME AGAINST BURGLARY PRESENTED INCLUDE ADEQUATE EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SOLID CORE DOORS WITH DEADBOLT LOCKS, AND NOT GIVING INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT ONE IS LIVING ALONE. GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBORS ARE URGED. PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST FRAUD INCLUDE A LIST OF TYPICAL SCHEMES AND SUSPICIOUS POINTS TO WATCH FOR, SUCH AS PROMISES TO HELP THE CONSUMER 'GET RICH QUICK.' IN ALL CASES OF VICTIMIZATION OR SUSPECTED CRIMES, OLDER PEOPLE ARE URGED TO REPORT THE SITUATION TO THE POLICE. A FINAL SECTION DISCUSSES COMMUNITY MEASURES TO PREVENT ELDERLY VICTIMIZATION AND TO ASSIST VICTIMS, WITH ATTENTION TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF OLDER PERSONS SUCH AS PRINTED MATTER WITH LARGE TYPE FOR EASY READING BY PERSONS WITH FAILING EYESIGHT. THE VOLUME INCLUDES SAMPLE FORMS TO RECORD POSSESSIONS AND EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS, DIAGRAMS OF LOCKS AND HOME SECURITY MEASURES, A LIST OF POLICE CRIME PREVENTION UNITS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS AROUND CONNECTICUT WITH PHONE NUMBERS, REFERENCES, AND ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION. (MPL)