NCJ Number
40174
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
VIGNETTES ARE USED TO DRAMATIZE CRIME PROBLEMS AND DECEPTIVE SCHEMES FACING THE ELDERLY. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO AVOID BEING VICTIMIZED ARE PROVIDED WITH REGARD TO BURGLARY, ROBBERY, ASSAULT, AND CON-GAMES.
Abstract
VIEWERS ARE URGED TO AVOID PROVIDING INFORMATION TO STRANGERS MAKING INQUIRIES SINCE HE MAY BE A POTENTIAL BURGLAR. OTHER COUNTERMEASURES TO BURGLARY COVERED INCLUDE THE USE OF PROPER LOCKS ON DOORS AND WINDOWS, THE ELIMINATION OF HIDING PLACES NEAR THE HOUSE, AND GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEONE IS HOME WHEN AWAY ON VACATION. THIS LAST ITEM CAM BE ACCOMPLISHED BY ARRANGING TO HAVE THE YARD WORK DONE, HAVING THE NEWSPAPER AND MAIL DELIVERIES SUSPENDED, AND USING TIMERS TO TURN LIGHTS AND RADIOS ON AND OFF. THIEVES ARE SHOWN ATTEMPTING TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO A POTENTIAL VICTIM'S HOME BY MEANS DEMONSTRATED VARIOUS RUSES. THE VIEWER IS TOLD TO ALWAYS USE A PEEPHOLE AND TALK THROUGH THE DOOR TO IDENTIFY VISITORS BEFORE ADMITTING THEM. ALWAYS ASK FOR PROPER IDENTIFICATION AND PLACE A QUICK PHONE CALL TO VERIFY IT. IN ORDER TO AVOID BEING ASSAULTED ON THE STREET IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SENIOR CITIZENS TRAVEL IN GROUPS, USE WELL-LIGHTED STREETS, AND CARRY PURSES IN SUCH A MANNER THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR A PURSE SNATCHER TO GRAB IT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF CASH BE CARRIED AT ANY ONE TIME. SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES UTILIZED BY BUNKO ARTISTS ARE DEMONSTRATEF AND THE VIEWER IS URGED TO BE HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS OF QUESTIONABLE SITUATIONS. INVESTIGATING STRANGERS' BACKGROUNDS AND STORIES IS RELATIVELY EASY AND WELL WORTH THE EFFORT....BLU