Practitioner's View of Combatting Crime - With Special Reference to Programs for the Elderly (From Rural Crime, P 182-196, 1982, Timothy J Carter, et al, ed. - See NCJ-88256)

• NCJ Number: 88265
• Author(s): G Sunderland
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Allanheld, Osmun and Co Publishers, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Elderly persons can play an active role in community crime prevention programs, which should be emphasized given the ineffectiveness of crime reduction efforts based on such approaches as improving law enforcement or attempting rehabilitation of offenders.

Abstract

Crime continues to be a major source of public concern, as indicated by national polls conducted since 1968. Approaches used to try to deal with the crime problem have included the causative approach, emphasis on the role of law enforcement and the courts, juvenile justice services, and efforts at rehabilitation. Despite these efforts, crime has not declined but is increasingly becoming an attractive career choice. Therefore, crime prevention practitioners should focus on programs designed to help the law-abiding public reduce opportunity for crimes to occur. Effective crime prevention for both the general public and specific populations like the elderly requires the total commitment of the community in support of well-structured programs. Crime analysis is a necessary first step in the crime prevention process, since it aids program development, the choice of tactical countermeasures, and resource allocation. Alderly persons can be particularly useful as volunteers in crime prevention efforts, since they have many skills and a wide range of experience. Elderly volunteers have conducted household security checks, promoted Operation Identification, programs, which should be emphasized given the ineffectiveness of crime reduction efforts based on such approaches as improving law enforcement or attempting rehabilitation of offenders.