U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Neighbors, Not Victims: A Response to Crime Against Seniors

NCJ Number
106960
Date Published
1987
Length
84 pages
Annotation
Based on a literature review, this study by a New York State Senate task force focuses on the extent of crime and fear of crime among the elderly, measures taken in various States to counter these circumstances, and recommendations for appropriate action in New York State.
Abstract
Whatever the overall distribution of crime across victims' ages, the elderly are more likely than other age groups to be victimized by crimes motivated by economic gain, committed by strangers, that involve contact with the offender, and that invade the victims' homes. Factors that tend to make a neighborhood safe include community pride and cohesiveness, well-defined geographic boundaries, and neighbors' willingness to look out for one another. California, Rhode Island, and New York have significant programs to stimulate and support community crime prevention efforts. New York's programs, more than Rhode Island's and significantly more than California's emphasizes local community initiatives. The current crime prevention response is varied but not coordinated. The task force recommends that New York State create a formal link among its crime fighting, aging, and community development agencies. Those involved in this link would focus on reducing citizen isolation in neighborhoods, particularly among the elderly, and community conditions of disorder that stimulate the fear of crime. 9 tables and chapter notes.