NCJ Number
50562
Journal
Aging Issue: 281-282 Dated: (MARCH/APRIL 1978) Pages: 35-39
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
SEVERAL LOCAL PROGRAMS DIRECTED AT THE ELDERLY ARE HIGHLIGHTED, INCLUDING A VICTIM VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, BLOCKWATCH EFFORTS, A SUMMER YOUTH PATROL, AND CRIME EDUCATION AND HOME SECURITY INITIATIVES.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO HELPING CRIME VICTIMS OBTAIN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, FILE INSURANCE AND MEDICARE CLAIMS, AND NOTIFY COMPANIES OF LOST CREDIT CARDS, VOLUNTEERS FROM ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA'S ELDERLY VICTIMS ON CRIME (EVOC) PROGRAM HELP THE ELDERLY SECURE LEGAL COUNSELING AND APPLY FOR COMPENSATION FROM THE MINNESOTA CRIME VICTIMS REPARATIONS BOARD. WOULD-BE CRIMINALS IN CLEVELAND, OHIO ARE FINDING THAT THEY HAVE MORE THAN JUST THE POLICE TO WORRY ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A CITY-WIDE BLOCKWATCH PROGRAM. THROUGH THE PROGRAM SENIOR CITIZENS ARE RECRUITED AND TRAINED TO WATCH FOR SUSPECTED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED AT TRAINING SESSIONS WHERE THE OLDER RESIDENTS LEARN HOW TO CALL THE POLICE, COLLECT AND RELAY INFORMATION, AND PROPERLY IDENTIFY SUSPECTS. A SUMMER PATROL PROGRAM INITIATED IN NASHVILLE, TENN., IS HELPING DISSOLVE THE CLIMATE OF FEAR AMONG THE ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN MANY HOUSING PROJECTS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO USE THE TALENTS OF UNEMPLOYED YOUTH IN HOUSING PROJECTS AND TO HELP VICTIMS OF ASSAULT, ROBBERY, AND BURGLARY. THE YOUTH WORK IN THEIR DESIGNATED AREAS AS LIAISONS WITH THE POLICE. THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FOR SENIOR SAFETY AND SECURITY (CASSS) SYSTEM, AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE DEVELOPED TO ALERT NEIGHBORS OF THE SUDDEN NEEDS OF ELDERLY RESIDENTS, HAS BEEN DEVELOPED, TESTED, AND APPROVED BY THE NASSAU COUNTY (N.Y.) DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR CITIZENS AFFAIRS. THE DEPARTMENT HAS SET ASIDE FUNDS FOR INSTALLING THE SAFETY ALARM SYSTEM IN HIGH PRIORITY RESIDENCES IN THE PREDOMINANTLY ELDERLY NEIGHBORHOODS. A STATEWIDE PROGRAM IN OHIO HAS 0ISTRIBUTED SOME 2,100 WHISTLES TO THE ELDERLY IN AN EFFORT TO TEST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH INEXPENSIVE CRIME ALERT TECHNIQUES. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD., HAS MOUNTED A CRIME EDUCATION EFFORT DESIGNED TO HELP THE ELDERLY PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL TRAUMAS OF VICTIMIZATION. A SPECIAL POLICE UNIT RESPONDS TO CASES OF ELDERLY VICTIMIZATIONS, OUTLINES SPECIFIC CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO AVOID FUTURE VICTIMIZATIONS, AND ALSO ADDRESSES LOCAL GATHERINGS CONCERNING CRIME AND PREVENTION TACTICS. A HOME SECURITY PROGRAM IN MILWAUKEE, WIS., IS WORKING TO DEVELOP IN-HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS FOR 500 HOMES OF ELDERLY CITIZENS TARGETED AS HIGH-RISKS OF RESIDENTIAL VICTIMIZATION. FINALLY, SENIOR CITIZENS IN SAN DIEGO, CALIF., HAVE ORGANIZED CITIZENS BAND RADIO PATROLS THAT TRAVEL THROUGH LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS IN AN EFFORT TO DETECT AND DETER SUCH CRIMES AS RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS ARE PROVIDED, ALONG WITH THEIR MAILING ADDRESSES. (KBL)