NCJ Number
93427
Date Published
1983
Length
35 pages
Annotation
Volunteers from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) are involved in crime prevention programs in a variety of areas: crime awareness, fraud, property marking, court volunteers, home security checks, juvenile probation, neighborhood watch, crime analysis, and witness assistance.
Abstract
Older volunteers can provide a range of significant services. In some areas, such as victim/witness counseling, the fact of their age is advantageous to their role. Various agencies, including local law enforcement agencies, serve as volunteer stations. Involvement between these agencies and the RSVP project is essential for the development of community crime prevention programs. Volunteer assignments range from installing safety locks to reviewing police records. Some of the activities appear to appeal to male volunteers, a group which is underrepresented in RSVP. Involvement in a particular crime prevention activity leads to other activities in crime prevention. Although documentation is not available in all cases, part-time involvement of RSVP volunteers in crime prevention appears to help reduce both crime and the fear of crime. Descriptions of 16 crime prevention projects conducted by RSVP groups, descriptions of information sources which can provide help in developing crime prevention programs, and a short story about an elderly persons's fear of crime are included.