NCJ Number
59637
Date Published
1979
Length
13 pages
Annotation
IDEAS FOR SETTING UP AND OPERATING SEVERAL TYPES OF SELF-PROTECTION COMMUNITY PROJECTS ARE PRESENTED FOR ELDERLY URBAN RESIDENTS WHO DESIRE TO ORGANIZE TO HELP THEMSELVES.
Abstract
MANY OLDER PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO GO SHOPPING OR BANKING ALONE BECAUSE THEY ARE A FAVORITE TARGET FOR ATTACK. AN EASY AND PRACTICAL SOLUTION IS TO ARRANGE FOR A GROUP OF OLDER PEOPLE TO SHOP OR GO THE BANK TOGETHER PROVIDING 'SAFETY IN NUMBERS.' THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE PROJECTS IN THIS HANDBOOK FOR THE ELDERLY. A SECTION ON APARTMENT AND HOME SAFETY EXPLAINS HOW HOME-BASED CRIME CAN BE AVERTED IF PEOPLE WILL TAKE PREVENTIVE STEPS. A LIST OF TIPS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR BOTH HOMEOWNERS AND APARTMENT DWELLERS IS GIVEN TO AVERT BURGLARY, ROBBERY, OR PHYSICAL ATTACK. SINCE MANY OLDER PEOPLE CANNOT KEEP MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS OR MAKE OTHER TYPES OF TRIPS, STEPS FOR ORGANIZING VOLUNTEER ESCORT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED. IN NEW YORK CITY THERE ARE MORE THAN 20,000 BLOCKWATCHERS--NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS TRAINED BY THE POLICE TO REPORT CRIMES, UNUSUAL ACTIVITY, AND EMERGENCIES TO THEIR LOCAL POLICE PRECINCT. THIS PROJECT IS EASY TO ORGANIZE AND HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL. METHODS OF SETTING UP SUCH A PROGRAM INVOLVE CONTACTING A CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER OF THE POLICE, RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS, AND ARRANGING FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE TRAINING SESSIONS. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES WITH A SECTION ON RESOURCES FOR SELF-PROTECTION WHICH LISTS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS DEVOTED TO SELF PROTECTION AND SELF DEFENSE. THE ARTICLE IS A PART OF THE OLDER PERSON'S HANDBOOK, A MUTUAL AID PROJECT HANDBOOK FOR NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS.