NCJ Number
48883
Date Published
1978
Length
17 pages
Annotation
CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDERLY ARE THE FOCUS OF PROGRAMS CONDUCTED OR SPONSORED BY THE LEAA.
Abstract
THE NATIONAL CRIME PANEL IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO DEVELOP INFORMATION NOT OTHERWISE AVAILABLE ON THE NATURE OF CRIME AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIETY BY MEANS OF VICTIMIZATION SURVEYS OF THE GENERAL POPULATION. STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE ELDERLY ARE NOT MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED BY CRIME; HOWEVER, LOWER VICTIMIZATION RATES DO NOT MINIMIZE THE SEVERITY OF CRIME'S EFFECTS ON THE ELDERLY. THEY ARE A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, AND FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE. UNDER THE LEAA BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, THE MAJOR PORTION OF FUNDS IS DISTRIBUTED TO STATES ON A POPULATION FORMULA BASIS. EACH STATE'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MUST PROVIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY. PARTICULAR EMPHASIS HAS BEEN GIVEN TO PROBLEMS OF THE ELDERLY POOR WITH RESPECT TO PUBLIC HOUSING. THE LEAA'S RESEARCH CENTER, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, HAS DEVELOPED A RELIABLE AND LOW-COST BURGLAR ALARM FOR HOMES AND APARTMENTS. CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, COMPENSATION, RESTITUTION, AND OTHER AID TO VICTIMS OF CRIME ARE THE FOCUS OF CERTAIN LEAA PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH. THE IMPORTANCE OF SENIOR CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN ANTICRIME PROGRAMS IS STRESSED. (DP)