NCJ Number
44340
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE PLIGHT OF ELDERLY MALE VICTIMS OF CRIME IN THE SKID ROW SECTION OF PORTLAND, OREG., IS DESCRIBED THROUGH CASE STUDIES AND STATISTICS.
Abstract
THE RESIDENTS OF SKID ROW TYPICALLY ARE ELDERLY, FRAIL, MALNOURISHED, AND ALCOHOLIC. OFTEN THEY ARE THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT ASSAULTS BY YOUNG 'JACKROLLERS.' SKID ROW VICTIMS WHO REPORT CRIMES RISK THEIR LIVES TO DO SO, BECAUSE FILING A COMPLAINT OFTEN MEANS RETALIATION ON THE STREETS. TWO CASE STUDIES ILLUSTRATE HOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILS TO RECOGNIZE SKID ROW VICTIMS AS DESERVING OF JUSTICE. A STUDY OF 200 VICTIMS OF CRIME IN THE PORTLAND SKID ROW SECTION FOUND THAT 67 PERCENT OF CRIMES INVOLVED BOTH ROBBERY AND ASSAULT. THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME ON SKID ROW IS HIGHER IN APRIL, WHEN MANY FARM WORKERS COME INTO THE AREA; ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH, WHEN GOVERNMENT CHECKS ARRIVE; AND DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, WHEN MORE OLDER PEOPLE ARE OUTSIDE. IN 46 PERCENT OF THE VICTIMIZATIONS, THERE WERE THREE ASSAILANTS INVOLVED. TWENTY-TWO PERCENT OF THE ASSAULTS OCCURRED ON THE STREETS. SIXTY-THREE PERCENT OCCURRED ON THE PREMISES OF A SINGLE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY. TAVERNS APPARENTLY ARE THE SAFEST PLACES ON SKID ROW. IN 95 PERCENT OF ALL CASES, THE ASSAILANTS WERE UNDER AGE 35. THE TENDENCY OF CITIES TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THEIR SKID ROW PROBLEMS BY DISPERSING THE RESIDENTS OF THESE SECTIONS IS CRITICIZED. RECOGNITION OF THE RIGHTS OF SKID ROW VICTIMS AND PROVISION OF NEEDED SERVICES TO VICTIMS ARE URGED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED.