NCJ Number
98232
Date Published
1985
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This crime prevention guide offers suggestions to aid the elderly in avoiding criminal victimization.
Abstract
Services offered by police departments are described, including Operation Identification, Neighborhood Watch, and home security surveys. In addition to outlining general strategies for avoiding crimes against the person, specific guidelines are presented for avoiding rape, muggings, and purse snatching. What one should do upon finding an intruder in the home is described. Deterrents to burglary are presented, including special precautions that should be taken during absences from the home. Two typical cons, the pigeon drop and the bank examiner are illustrated, and tips for handling con artists are given. Major types of mail frauds are described including those involving home improvement, chain referral, debt consolidation, business opportunities, medical frauds, and self-improvement. Additional frauds and bunco schemes include advertising campaigns, bait-and-switch tactics, and fear-sell. The hidden crime of elderly abuse in institutions and in communities is also discussed. A telephone directory of New Jersey County Offices of Aging is provided.