NCJ Number
60263
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A 1976 SURVEY OF 180 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INDICATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME, THE ELDERLY, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND IDENTIFY CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS DEVELOPED FOR AND BY THE ELDERLY.
Abstract
PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO REDUCE THE VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY, TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON THE LIVES OF THE ELDERLY, AND TO USE THE ELDERLY IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, 8 PERCENT OF THE AGENCIES USE SENIOR VOLUNTEERS IN OPERATION IDENTIFICATION, ANTIBURGLARY, AND ANTIFRAUD PROGRAMS. POLICE AGENCIES RECOGNIZE THAT THE ELDERLY CAN BE USED IN SEVERAL OTHER TYPES OF POLICE PROGRAMS, SUCH AS CHECK-CASHING PROGRAMS. MANY OF THE AGENCIES HAVE ALREADY STARTED SPECIFIC CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY. A MAJORITY OF THE AGENCIES FEEL THAT ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED. THE RESPONDENTS INDICATE THAT THE MAJOR PROBLEMS AGENCIES FACE IN DEALING WITH THE ELDERLY ARE THE ELDERLY'S LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE POLICE ROLE AND POLICE SERVICES, CALLS FROM 'CHRONIC COMPLAINERS,' AND CALLS FOR SERVICES WHICH SEEM TO BE A RESULT OF IMAGINARY PROBLEMS. CAREFUL PLANNING MUST PRECEDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS. THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (IACP) HAS DEVELOPED A MODEL PROGRAM PLAN, WITH A SENIOR CITIZEN SURVEY, TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND EVALUATE SUCH PROGRAMS AS EDUCATIONAL, CRIME PREVENTION ASSISTANCE, VICTIM ASSISTANCE, AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS. FOOTNOTES, STATISTICAL TABLES, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF VARIOUS PARTS OF THE MODEL PROGRAM PLAN ARE INCLUDED. (KCP)