PURSE SNATCH - ROBBERY'S UGLY STEPCHILD (FROM CRIME AND THE ELDERLY - CHALLENGE AND RESPONSE, 1976 BY JACK GOLDSMITH AND SHARON S GOLDSMITH - SEE NCJ-39177)

• NCJ Number: 39186
• Author(s): J B RICHARDSON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: D C Heath and Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THE CRIME OF PURSE SNATCHING, ADDRESSES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS FACED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT IN DEALING WITH THIS CRIME, AND OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR PREVENTION.

Abstract

MOST VICTIMS OF PURSE SNATCHES ARE ELDERLY WOMEN WHOSE PLACE OF RESIDENCE, SHOPPING HABITS, AND RELIANCE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MAKE THEM PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS CRIME. WHILE USUALLY NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A SERIOUS CRIME BY THE POLICE, PURSE SNATCHES OFTEN IMPOSE SERIOUS ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS ON VICTIMS AND OFTEN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE VICTIM. THE AUTHOR OBSERVES THAT POLICE RESPONSE TO THE CRIME OF PURSE SNATCHING, IS GENERALLY NOT ENTHUSIASTIC. TO COUNTERACT THE PROBLEM OF PURSE SNATCHES, THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD EDUCATE POTENTIAL VICTIMS, BE PARTICULARLY WATCHFUL FOR POTENTIAL VICTIMS, ENCOURAGE JUVENILE AUTHORITIES TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN DETERRENCE, AND SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS WITH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AND ESCORT SERVICES FOR ELDERLY WOMEN....DMC