MOST VICTIMS OF PURSE SNATCHES ARE ELDERLY WOMEN WHOSE PLACE OF RESIDENCE, SHOPPING HABITS, AND RELIANCE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MAKE THEM PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS CRIME. WHILE USUALLY NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A SERIOUS CRIME BY THE POLICE, PURSE SNATCHES OFTEN IMPOSE SERIOUS ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS ON VICTIMS AND OFTEN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE VICTIM. THE AUTHOR OBSERVES THAT POLICE RESPONSE TO THE CRIME OF PURSE SNATCHING, IS GENERALLY NOT ENTHUSIASTIC. TO COUNTERACT THE PROBLEM OF PURSE SNATCHES, THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD EDUCATE POTENTIAL VICTIMS, BE PARTICULARLY WATCHFUL FOR POTENTIAL VICTIMS, ENCOURAGE JUVENILE AUTHORITIES TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN DETERRENCE, AND SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS WITH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AND ESCORT SERVICES FOR ELDERLY WOMEN....DMC