Property Crime and the Elderly Offender: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, 1964-1984 (From Older Offenders: Perspectives in Criminology and Criminal Justice, P 76-103, 1988, Belinda McCarthy and Robert Langworthy, eds. -- See NCJ-110145)

• NCJ Number: 110151
• Author(s): D J Bachand; G A Chressanthis
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 28 pages
• Sale Source: Praeger Publishers
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study applies economic theory in the theoretical development and empirical testing of factors likely to impact and explain property crime patterns by elderly offenders (ages 55-59, 60-64, and 65 and over) in the United States for 1964-84.

Abstract

This study departs from previous analyses in the literature by isolating elderly offenders in empirical testing in an annual time-series framework by relating changes in the inflation rate and unemployment rate to property crime arrest rates over time. For each age grouping of elderly persons, the study analyzed total property crime, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. Findings indicate that changes in the inflation rate, population, unemployment rate, and employment participation patterns are key independent variables in explaining trends in property crime arrest rates. This suggests that policies designed to address underlying structural problems that impact the financial security of the elderly may also reduce property crime by the elderly. 7 tables and 2 notes.