Detectives from the Bronx Senior Citizen Robbery Unit first described the functions of their special division and then discussed why the elderly are particularly vulnerable to crime and problems in the juvenile courts which contribute to the quick release of most juvenile offenders. Similar topics were addressed by the chief of the New York City Housing Authority Police Department. Teenagers then told about crimes they had committed against elderly victims or had seen committed. All said that these activities were a source of easy money because old people were afraid to testify and juveniles were released quickly and usually placed on probation. The next witnesses were two elderly women who had been beaten and robbed by teenage boys. Each had been a victim more than once, and one had been afraid to identify her attackers in court. Finally, the parent of a juvenile arrested for robbery described her son's criminal career and need for psychiatric help which city agencies had been unable to provide. See also NCJ 81987 and NCJ 81988.