POLICE AGENCIES AND PERSONNEL SHOULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN PROVIDING SUPPORT TO ELDERLY CRIME VICTIMS WHO SUFFER GREATLY FROM FEAR, LONELINESS, ANGER, AND POWERLESSNESS. THESE FEELINGS ARE OFTEN DIRECTED AGAINST THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH IS INSENSITIVE TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY. LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL CAN HELP BY PROVIDING INFORMATION AND ALLEVIATING THE VICTIMS' CONCERN OVER INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BY MAKING REFERRALS TO SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY AGENCIES, BY MAKING THE ELDERLY AWARE OF VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, AND BY PROVIDING IMMEDIATE SUPPORT TO ELDERLY VICTIMS. SINCE ELDERLY CRIME VICTIMS OFTEN SUFFER DEVASTATING ECONOMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUFFERING, THEY MUST BE MADE AWARE OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES PROVIDING HELP TO CRIME VICTIMS. THE MOST COMMON SERVICES INCLUDE VICTIM-WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, ELDERLY VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROJECTS, CRIME COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, COMMISSIONS ON THE AGING, VOLUNTEER GROUPS, AND SENIOR CITIZEN GROUPS. THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, BENEFITS, AND PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY CRIME COMPENSATION PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. SPECIAL EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO PREPARE THE ELDERLY FOR DEALING WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE COURTS. A STATE-BY-STATE LISTING OF VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAMS AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)