In reality, the crimes that most affect them (in order) are
the following:
Purse
snatch related crimes
Fraud and
confidence crimes
Theft of
mail (checks)
Vandalism
Burglary
Murder
The Role of the Media
Much of
this misplaced fear can be credited to our nation’s news media. Through repeated and
unbalanced reporting, many seniors believe the murders, robberies, and rapes they
report on are commonplace events. They are not. To the contrary, older adults are
the least likely to become the victim of a violent crime. To understand why this fear
peddling takes place, you need only remember that above all else the media are
businesses that rely on subscriptions, viewers, and listeners for their survival.
Then, too, we have become a society who thrives on being shocked. We love to delve
into the details of the most atrocious crimes ever committed. When the media fail to
provide us with an adequate dose of new and shocking events, we quickly seek out other
publications to fill the void.
Should you
doubt the truth of this observation, consider the following. When was it that you
last read about or viewed a program that detailed any of the countless frauds that
force many older adults into bankruptcy? When was the last time you read a book about
fraud or confidence crimes? If like most citizens, fraud and con games exist as
little more than trivial events that really don’t harm anyone. And if you’re not
interested, then neither are the media who provide us with what we ask for.
Special Treatment?
If true,
and older adults are the least victimized people in our society, then why all the
fuss? Why, as some have asked, do we create special units to address senior citizen
crime issues, when such efforts should involve those most apt to be victimized?
Although few people, including law enforcement officers could answer these questions,
there exists an observable and valid justification for such special treatment.
With most
crime victims, their unfortunate encounter with a criminal is one of sheer chance. The
criminal invests little or no forethought when deciding whom to target. Unfortunately
for older adults, there exists a multitude of criminals who specifically target them
as their victims of choice. Because of this criminal specialization, these thugs have
gained an alarming amount of knowledge about their intended prey. This knowledge is
then used with steadfast accuracy. So skillful have they become at their criminal
trade that it is often difficult, if not impossible, to hold them accountable.
Another
reason involves the extent of injuries suffered by older adults. What might exist as
minor bruising, or a quick recovery from broken bones, often equates to major
long-term injuries for older bodies that do not heal as quickly. The injuries
suffered by these victims are why many purse snatchings, which begin as standard
thefts, quickly escalate to strong-arm robberies.
Why
Are Seniors A Target Of Choice
Criminals
target older adults for many reasons, but the most important include:
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Seniors are usually more trusting and easier to approach. They lived in
|
an era
where trust and lending a helping hand was the norm.
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Older adults are aware of the negative stereotyping associated with their
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advanced age. Not wishing to play into those stereotypes often leads to a
common and self--defeating practice. The abusive habit involves a willingness to allow many of the crimes committed against them to go unreported.
This refusal renders many seniors the criminal’s biggest ally. From the
offender’s vantage point, with no chance of being caught or stopped, victimizing older
adults is little more than a high-profit, low risk endeavor.
Please note
that reporting all offenses does not mean they will all result with the suspect’s
arrest. However, such reporting will alert officers who can in turn warn others about
the criminals working within any particular neighborhood. Experience has shown
that such knowledge has spared many others from falling prey to these criminals.
Summary:
Older adults do not possess an accurate understanding about the
crimes that affect them. Until this becomes a reality, they will not take the
proper steps to protect themselves.
Fear of crime, coupled with ignorance about our criminal justice
system, prevents many seniors from reporting their encounter with a criminal.
All officers having contact with older adult victims need to take time to assure that
these people possess an accurate understanding of their rights, and of what will occur
once they file a report.
The media needs to provide its customers with a better
understanding of the crimes they are most apt to encounter.
Because of the serious impact crime has on older adults, more
attention and effort must be given to this segment of your community. Such
services need not be extensive or costly, only consistent. Absent longevity and
constancy, any service intended to improve the safety of your community's older adults
is little more than window dressing. Periodic changes to any given program are
appropriate unless they alter the way such services are made available to those in
need.
©Written
by: Lt. Dennis M. Marlock
Next Topic :
Psychological first aid for victims
Fear of Crime