CRIME (FROM SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE LAW, 1977, BY CHRIS KABELLA)

• NCJ Number: 55921
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 8 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Wisconsin Dept of Health and Social Services
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Public Representation, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STEPS IN CRIME PREVENTION THAT CAN BE TAKEN BY THE ELDERLY ARE DISCUSSED AND SOME MODEL PROGRAMS IN WISCONSIN AIMED AT REDUCING THE IMPACT OF CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDERLY ARE DESCRIBED.

Abstract

WHILE RECENT STATISTICS SHOW THAT AS A GROUP THE ELDERLY (AGE 65 AND OVER) ARE THE LEAST LIKELY OF ALL AGE GROUPS TO BE THE VICTIMS OF CRIME, THE ELDERLY ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO CERTAIN CRIMES, SUCH AS CONFIDENCE AND FRAUD. MOREOVER, THE ELDERLY EXPERIENCE THE IMPACT OF ANY CRIME MORE THAN ANY GROUP BECAUSE OF THEIR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS AND A LACK OF ECONOMIC RESOURCES THAT WOULD ENABLE THEM TO COPE WITH PROPERTY LOSSES DUE TO CRIME. TIPS ARE OFFERED FOR REDUCING THE IMPACT CRIME CAN HAVE ON THE ELDERLY. FAILURE TO REPORT CRIMES AND TO TESTIFY IN COURT IS A PREVALENT PATTERN AMONG THE ELDERLY. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY CRIME PREVENTION EFFORT REQUIRES CITIZEN COOPERATION WITH EVERY RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR COMBATING CRIME. A NUMBER OF USEFUL PROGRAMS TO ASSIST IN CRIME PREVENTION HAVE BEEN SET UP THROUGHOUT WISCONISN, AND THOSE MENTIONED WERE SELECTED IN THE BELIEF THEY CAN SERVE AS MODELS FOR SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN ANY COMMUNITY. THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY AIDE PROGRAM HAS A STAFF OF 102 PEOPLE TRAINED IN FIRE FIGHTING, FIRE INSPECTION, BASIC POLICE SKILLS, AND SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRAL. THEIR AID TO SENIOR ADULTS INCLUDES PROVIDING ESCORTS TO HELP THEM GET TO AND FROM BUSES, CHURCHES, NUTRITION SITES, STORES, DOCTORS'OFFICES, AND OTHER LOCATIONS. ANOTHER SERVICE INVOLVES INSPECTING LOCKS AND OTHER SECURITY MEASURES IN HOMES AND RECOMMENDING IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL INCREASE HOME SECURITY. THE HOMES SECURITY PROGRAM OF RACINE INFORMS THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY, HOW TO MAKE THEIR HOMES MORE SECURE. THIS INCLUDES FREE INSTALLATION OF SECURITY DEVICES IN THE HOMES OF THE ELDERLY. THE WHISTLE STOP PROGRAM OF MILWAUKEE SUPPLIES CITIZENS WITH WHISTLES TO USE IN SIGNALING TROUBLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. STEPS TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT ONE BECOMES A VICTIM OF CRIME ARE DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH THE PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR VICTIM'S COMPENSATION UNDER WISCONSIN LAW. (RCB)