NCJ Number
38854
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 42 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 59
Date Published
1975
Length
1 page
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF A POLICE OPERATED PROGRAM IN WHICH COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEERS MAINTAIN DAILY CONTACT WITH ELDERLY PERSONS LIVING ALONE TO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE MEDICAL OR SOCIAL AID WHEN NEEDED.
Abstract
THE OPERATION LIFELINE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO ENABLE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED PERSONS WHO LIVE ALONE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE SITUATIONS IN WHICH AN ILLNESS OR INJURY OCCURS AND THE PERSON IS UNABLE TO SUMMON HELP. ELDERLY OR HANDICAPPED PERSONS REGISTER WITH THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT, AND ARE INSTRUCTED TO TELEPHONE THE UNIT AT A CERTAIN TIME OF DAY. IF NO CALL IS RECEIVED, A COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER WILL CALL AND/OR VISIT THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT, TO ENSURE THAT NO EMERGENCY HAS OCCURRED. INFORMATION ON CRIME PREVENTION AND SOCIAL SERVICES IS ALSO GIVEN TO PROGRAM MEMBERS. VOLUNTEERS ARE BEING USED TO HANDLE TELEPHONE CALLS AT CERTAIN TIMES, AND EFFORTS TO INCREASE VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN.