NCJ Number
50586
Date Published
1978
Length
43 pages
Annotation
MEMBERS OF THE CONNECTICUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL SERVICE COMMUNITIES MET TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY.
Abstract
FOLLOWING INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS BY VARIOUS STATE OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, SELECTED STATEWIDE PROGRAMS DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF THE ELDERLY ARE BRIFELY NOTED, INCLUDING ECONOMIC CRIME UNITS INSTITUTED TO HELP CHECK FRAUD AND OTHER ECONOMIC CRIMES AND A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY ELDERLY VICTIMS OF CRIME AND LINK THEM WITH AVAILABLE SOCIAL SERVICES. FEDERAL PROBLEMS AND INITIATIVES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED AND ASPECTS MENTIONED INCLUDE THE LACK OF COHERENT AND RELIABLE SURVEY DATA ON ELDERLY VICTIMIZATION; A MULTIFACETED STUDY OF OLDER AMERICANS TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPES OF URBAN POLICIES CAN BEST HELP TO STABILIZE URBAN COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY INNER-CITY NEIGHBORHOODS INHABITED BY THE ELDERLY; AND PROJECTS DIRECTED TO THE MOBILIZATION OF EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES, THE EDUCATION OF OLDER PEOPLE IN CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES, THE STRENGTHENING OF NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AND OTHER CRIME PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSICAL SECURITY OF HOMES AND HOUSING PROJECTS. OTHER FEDERAL EFFORTS INCLUDE THE REVISION OF THE CRIMINAL CODE, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VICTIM COMPENSATION PROGRAM, INVESTIGATION OF MEDICAID BILLS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES REGARDING ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS, CONDOMINIUM SALES, AND MEDI-GAP INSURANCE POLICIES. THE FINDINGS OF AN EFFORT BY THE MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE ARE REVIEWED WITH RESPECT TO PATTERNS OF ELDERLY VICTIMIZATION, THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ELDERLY VICTIMS, TYPES OF OFFENSES, AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CRIME. THE THRUST OF A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT THAT RESULTED FROM THE RESEARCH IS DISCUSSED, AS IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION COMPONENT. A BRIEF RECOUNTING OF THE SUCCESS OF THE GRAY PANTHERS IN THEIR BATTLE OVER ENERGY COSTS WITH STATE UTILITY SUPPLIERS FOLLOWS A REVIEW OF AN HARTFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT STUDY OF FOUR CATEGORIES OF CRIME: PURSE SNATCHING WHERE NO VIOLENCE WAS USED, ROBBERY PURSE SNATCHING, ON STREET RESIDENTIAL ROBBERY, AND RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. IT WAS FOUND THAT 24 PERCENT OF THE SIMPLE PURSE SNATCHING FOR 1977 INVOLVED ELDERLY VICTIMS, ROBBERY PURSE SNATCHING WAS 29.6 PERCENT, STREET OR RESIDENTIAL ROBBERY WAS 16 PERCENT, AND RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY WAS 10.4 PERCENT. AS A RESULT OF THE FINDINGS, CERTAIN PROGRAMS -- SAFETY LECTURES, TARGET HARDENING, INCREASED PATROL, AND VOLUNTEER CRIME REDUCTION EFFORTS -- WERE INITIATED IN DISTRICTS EVIDENCING PARTICULAR NEEDS. NOTES ARE PROVIDED FROM THREE WORKSHOPS HELD TO IDENTIFY: (1) WHAT WOULD BE HAPPENING IF EVERYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE FOR THE ELDERLY WAS BEING DONE; (2) WHAT IS BEING DONE FOR THE ELDERLY; AND (3) WHAT COULD BE DONE FOR THE ELDERLY THAT IS NOT BEING DONE OR WHAT COULD BE DONE DIFFERENTLY. (KBL)