NCJ Number
61903
Date Published
Unknown
Length
21 pages
Annotation
CAUSES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION AMONG THE ELDERLY AND WAYS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS CAN PROVIDE AID AND EDUCATION TO REDUCE THIS CRIME, ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS TRANSCRIPT OF A SPEECH.
Abstract
PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 60 ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO CRIME IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, BECAUSE THEIR INCOME IS OFTEN NEAR OR AT POVERTY LEVELS, THEY CANNOT MOVE AWAY FROM HIGH CRIME AREAS, AND THEY FACE SERIOUS ECONOMIC DEPRIVATION IF THEY ARE VICTIMS OF PROPERTY CRIMES. SECOND, THEIR FREQUENT SOCIAL ISOLATION PRODUCES PSYCHOLOGICAL VULNERABILITY TO THE SHOCK OF BEING VICTIMIZED. THIRD, THEIR FREQUENT HEALTH LIMITATIONS PRODUCE PHYSICAL VULNERABILITY TO CRIME. A SURVEY OF ELDERLY PORTLAND, ORE., RESIDENTS SHOWED THAT 58 PERCENT HAD BEEN VICTIMIZED, MOST IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. PROPERTY CRIMES WERE THE MOST COMMON CRIMES, FOLLOWED BY CONSUMER FRAUD, HARASSMENT, AND CON GAMES. CRIMES USUALLY OCCURRED IN THE AFTERNOON OR EVENING, IN OR NEAR THE VICTIM'S HOME. MOST ELDERLY PEOPLE, BUT ESPECIALLY WOMEN, FELT STRONG FEAR OF CRIME. FEAR INCREASED SHARPLY AFTER THE SECOND VICTIMIZATION AND WHEN THE HOME WAS BURGLARIZED. RECOMMENDED POLICIES AND PROGRAMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INCLUDE CRIME PREVENTION EDUCATION FOCUSING ON HOME SECURITY AND AVOIDANCE OF FRAUD, CRIME REPORTING, AND, FOR POLICE OFFICERS, SENSITIZATION TO THE AGING PROCESS, ESPECIALLY VISION AND HEARING DIFFICULTIES. POLICE OFFICERS ARE URGED TO WORK TOWARD ENSURING BOTH SECURITY AND DIGNITY FOR THE ELDERLY. (CFW)