Fear of Crime

The American public, regardless of age, fears crime more than any other potentially dangerous event.  Although the likelihood of being injured in a crime pales in comparison to automobile accidents, and slip-and-fall injuries, the fear of crime causes many to suffer the most stress.

The following table is based on national surveys about crime:

Seniors Believe They Are Most Susceptible to:

1. Murder                                                          

2. Rape and aggravated assault                         

3. Armed robbery                                              

4. Theft from person                                               

5. Burglary                                                                      

In reality, the crimes that most affect them (in order) are the following:                                               

1. Purse snatch related crimes

2. Fraud and confidence crimes

3. Theft of mail (checks)

4. Vandalism

5. Burglary

The Role of the Media

Much of this misplaced fear can be attributed to our nation’s news media. Through repeated and unbalanced reporting they have led seniors to 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 even the most heinous of crimes. When the media fail to provide us with an adequate dose of new and shocking events, we quickly seek out other publications to fulfill our desires.

Should you doubt the truth of this observation, then consider the following. When was it that you last read about or viewed a program that detailed any of the countless scams 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 boring 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.

Unequal 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 observable and valid justifications for such special treatment. 

With most crime victims, their unfortunate encounter with a criminal is one of sheer change. The criminal invests little or no forethought when deciding whom to target. Unfortunately for older adults, there exists an arsenal 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 factor 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 don’t heal as quickly. This is why many purse snatchings begin as standard thefts and quickly escalate to strong-arm robberies because of injuries sustained by the victim.

Why You Are A Target Of Choice?

There are many reasons why criminals target older adults. The most important of those reasons include the following:

Seniors are usually more trusting and easier to approach. They were born in an era where trust and lending a helping hand was the norm. That trusting others without question is now a bad practice is a shame, but nevertheless a reality.

Many older adults are well aware of the negative stereotyping that goes with their advanced age. Not wishing to play into those stereotypes often leads to a common and self--defeating practice. The abusive habit I refer to is the practice of allowing the crimes committed against you to go unreported.

If I can convince you of nothing else, then please let it be this:

You become your own worst enemy by not reporting all offenses to your local police. You also become, albeit unintentionally, the criminal’s biggest ally. If you fail to report what they did to you, then they have no chance of being caught or stopped. These criminals view such non-reporting as inducements to commit more offenses against older adults. As it stands today, those who specialize in victimizing older adults engage in high-profit, low risk offenses.

Being realistic, I will say that reporting all offenses does not mean they will all result with the suspect’s arrest. If nothing else, your reporting the offense will alert officers who can in turn warn others about the criminals in your area. This does not mean they will publicly identify you, so please don’t hesitate to report your unfortunate encounter with a criminal.

Always remember, you have absolutely no reason to assume culpability for your victimization. Crime affects everyone regardless of age.  Perhaps it's time to pay less attention to how the misinformed people of our society view the gift of age. You should invest more time to beating the criminals at their own game.