NCJ Number
55256
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
TO ENCOURAGE SENIOR CITIZENS TO ASSUME AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PREVENTING CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY, THIS AUDIOCASSETTE AND SLIDE PRESENTATION ILLUSTRATES THE ESSENTIALS OF PERSONAL AND RESIDENTIAL CRIME PREVENTION AND DETERRENCE.
Abstract
THE PREVENTION AND DETERRENCE OF NONVIOLENT CRIME IS EMPHASIZED BECAUSE STATISTICS INDICATE THAT THE ELDERLY ARE MORE OFTEN THE VICTIMS OF BURGLARY, PURSE SNATCHING, AND FRAUD THAN OF SUCH OVERT ACTS AS MURDER, RAPE, AND ASSAULT. THREE ELEMENTS OF CRIME PREVENTION ARE OUTLINED: PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION, RESIDENTIAL SECURITY, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. PARTICIPATING IN OPERATION IDENTIFICATION IS RECOMMENDED, ESPECIALLY THE USE OF DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBERS ETCHED ON VALUABLES, COUPLED WITH A PROPERTY LOG AND STICKER AFFIXED TO SELECTED EXTERIOR AREAS NOTIFYING PROSPECTIVE BURGLARS THAT PROPERTY IS PROPERLY MARKED. THE NOTABLE RESIDENTIAL SECURITY TIPS INCLUDE THE USE OF SOLID EXTERIOR DOOR MATERIAL, PEEP HOLES, DEAD-BOLT LOCKS, DECORATIVE GRILLWORK ON WINDOWS, EFFECTIVE OUTDOOR LIGHTING, PROPER LANDSCAPING, AND ELECTRICAL TIMERS TO TURN LIGHTS AND RADIOS ON AND OFF WHILE THE OCCUPANTS ARE AWAY. FINALLY, THE ORGANIZATION OF A BLOCK WATCH GROUP IS RECOMMENDED, ALONG WITH TIPS FOR REDUCING THE POSSIBILITY OF STREET CRIME, INCLUDING TECHNIQUES FOR SECURING AUTOMOBILES AND AVOIDING PURSE SNATCHING AND MUGGING. (KBL)