NCJ Number
49967
Date Published
1978
Length
76 pages
Annotation
PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE POLICE AND COURTS OF NEW YORK CITY TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CRIME FOR THE ELDERLY ARE ASSESSED. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR BOTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.
Abstract
THE REPORT SURVEYS PATTERNS OF CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY, PROCEDURES USED TO PROCESS CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDERLY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND CRIME PREVENTION AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE POLICE AND COURTS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE PREVENTIVE PATROLS, SECURITY SURVEYS, TALKS BEFORE SENIOR CITIZENS' GROUPS, DECOY OPERATIONS WITH POLICE OFFICERS IMPERSONATING ELDERLY CITIZENS, PATROLS WITHIN BUILDINGS OCCUPIED BY LARGE NUMBERS OF OLDER PERSONS, AND ESCORT PROGRAMS. POST-INCIDENT VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE HANDLED THROUGH REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. SPECIAL TEAMS HAVE BEEN FORMED TO INVESTIGATE CRIMES AGAINST ELDERLY PERSONS. SPECIAL PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN FORMED IN COOPERATION WITH THE NEW YORK HOUSING AUTHORITY. VICTIM AND WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROJECTS HELP ELDERLY CITIZENS FOLLOW-UP A CASE, GET TO THE COURT TO TESTIFY, AND RECOVER STOLEN PROPERTY. THE COURT ALSO IS ACTING TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF APPEARANCES AN ELDERLY VICTIM MUST MAKE TO PROSECUTE A CASE. THE COURT MONITORING PROJECT OF THE EAST BRONX COUNCIL ON AGING IS DESCRIBED. TREATMENT OF CRIMES AGAINST THE ELDERLY IN FAMILY COURT IS SURVEYED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT TOO FEW ARE PROCESSED TO FORM AN OPINION ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY COURT'S HANDLING OF SUCH CASES. THE CONCLUSIONS NOTE THAT CRIME AGAINST THE ELDERLY HAS DECREASED IN NEW YORK CITY AND ENCOURAGES CONTINUATION OF THE SPECIAL PATROLS AND OTHER CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS. TARGETED DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITY DEVICES TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS IN HIGH-CRIME AREAS IS SUGGESTED, AS IS CONTINUED CITIZEN EDUCATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT POLICE OFFICERS WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO ARRANGE FOR EMERGENCY AID; THAT PROCEDURES FOR RECOVERY OF STOLEN PROPERTY FROM POLICE AND COURT STOREROOMS BE SIMPLIFIED; THAT EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF APPEARANCES A VICTIM MUST MAKE IN COURT BE INTENSIFIED; AND THAT A PROCEDURE TO ROUTINELY INFORM BOTH POLICE INVESTIGATORS AND THE VICTIM OF THE OUTCOME OF A CASE BE ESTABLISHED. A PREVIOUS STUDY ON THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IN HELPING CRIME VICTIMS IS APPENDED. (GLR)