NCJ Number
32936
Journal
PERSPECTIVE ON AGING Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (MAY/JUNE 1975) Pages: 16-19
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
CRIME PROBLEMS WHICH ARE PARTICULAR TO THE ELDERLY ARE OUTLINED, AND IT IS SUGGESTED THAT GREATER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EFFORTS TO REDUCE VICTIMIZATION OF THE AGING AND RESTORE JUSTICE TO AGING VICTIMS OF CRIME ARE NEEDED.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS NOTE THAT PROGRESS IN DEALING SUCCESSFULLY WITH THE DRAMATIC PROBLEM OF CRIME AGAINST THE AGED HAS GENERALLY BEEN SLOW AND SPORADIC. DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN DEFINING THE EXTENT OF THE CRIME PROBLEM FOR THE ELDERLY DUE TO INADEQUATE STATISTICS AND VICTIM UNDERREPORTING. HOWEVER, A LEAA VICTIMIZATION STUDY SHOWED THAT THE RATE OF PERSONAL LARCENY WITH CONTACT (INCLUDING PURSE SNATCHING) WAS HIGHER FOR VICTIMS OVER 50 IN 10 OF THE 13 CITIES STUDIES. SUCH SPECIFIC PROBLEMS OF THE ELDERLY AS INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CRIME, RISKS OF PHYSICAL INJURY FROM CRIME, AND THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT OF CRIME IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL LOSS AND FEAR OF CRIME ARE OUTLINED. THE AUTHORS DISCUSS THE NEED FOR GREATER LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVITY TO THE CRIME-RELATED PROBLEMS OF OLDER AMERICANS. VARIOUS PROGRAMS WHICH HAVE PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN AIDING THE ELDERLY ARE NOTED. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT IT SHOULD BECOME A MATTER OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR PUBLIC POLICY MAKERS AT ALL LEVELS TO ENCOURAGE PROGRAMS TO REDUCE THE AGING'S ONUS OF CRIME. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)