HISTORY AND OPERATIONS OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT'S SENIOR CITIZENS ROBBERY UNIT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AGAINST THIS PROBLEM Traditionally, senior citizens in America have been a neglected segment of our society. This is especially true when the elderly are confronted with our system of criminal justice. They are robbed and severely assaulted and then suffer further hardships inflicted by the overall criminal justice system and other well-intentioned agencies. Elderly victims of crime seldom report the offenses committed against them, principally because of their fragile physical condition, lack of mobility, fear of reprisal, and the negative attitude that little or nothing can be done. In addition, the perpetrators of these crimes are comforted with the realization that not only will they meet little or no physical resistance when they attack the elderly, but also that their crimes will probably not be reporetd to the police. The police are severely handicapped attempting to control and eliminate these particularly heinous crimes. Crime patterns are not detected when incidents are not reported. When offenders are arrested, prosecution is difficult because the elderly are reluctant to cooperate with the police. In October, 1974, the Senior Citizens Robbery Unit was established in the county of the Bronx, utilizing one sergeant, six detectives, and two police officers. The purpose was to address residential and dwelling robberies being committed against elderly citizens in specific areas of the Bronx. Analysis indicated that many perpetrators' areas of operation overlapped precinct boundaries, making it difficult for the local precinct investigating units to address. The mission of the unit was to bring the police to the elderly, concentrate on groups that robbed senior citizens, and to coordinate intelligence information on a countywide level. The following innovations were implemented: (a) Crime alert bulletin: The patrol force is apprised of the current crime patterns against senior citizens by means of a countywide crime alert bulletin. This bulletin describes the method of operation, the locations where these crimes are committed, and the descriptions of persons wanted or arrested for these crimes. (b) Portable suspect photo file: The Senior Citizens Robbery Unit investigates and follows up robberies against senior citizens in a manner that will cause little hardship and a minimum of inconvenience to the victims. Photographs of crime suspects are brought to the residence of the senior citizen to spare them the inconvenience of traveling to police stations or other locations. (c) Court standby: A telephone alert system has been established with the cooperation of the district attorney's office whereby the complainant remains at home on telephone alert and is brought to court only when an appearance is absolutely essential. Members of the unit pick up the complainants at their residences, drive them to and from court, and assist them with their physical needs throughout the process. (d) Crime prevention lectures: The senior citizens are educated at senior citizen centers by the unit members so that when crime patterns or "modus operandi" of the criminals are identified, they can take necessary precautions. A "buddy system" for traveling has been encouraged so that elderly persons will not be isolated and become an easy target for the criminal. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce has purchased whistles which the unit distributes at crime prevention meetings for the senior citizen to utilize to secure assistance in an emergency. Additionally, an informative brochure is distributed to each attendee containing tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of a crime. A listing of emergency telephone numbers is also included. During 1975, the Bronx Senior Citizens Robbery Unit identified 51 perpetrators from the photo book, investigated 636 robbery cases, resulting in the arrest of 93 perpetrators who were responsible for at least 198 of these crimes. Their conviction rate was over 90 percent. In addition, the unit has assisted the Bronx Homicide Units in the investigation and solution of 17 robbery-homicides. The court standby and crime prevention lectures have renewed the confidence of the senior citizens and assured them that the police are concerned. Many of the perpetrators arrested have been members of groups that have been preying exclusively on the elderly. As a result of these arrests and the attendant notoriety, the criminal element can no longer believe that their crimes against the elderly will go unreported to the ploice. The elderly residents of the Bronx have enjoyed some unexpected benefits due to the efforts of the Senior Citizens Robbery Unit. When an officer assigned to a specific case discovers a particular hardship, other agencies are contacted to assist. As the situation warrants, victims are brought directly to the Mayor's Office of the Aging and arrangements made for emergency assistance. The unit has also assisted the Social Security Administration in coordinating the investigation of various social security "con games" perpetrated against the elderly. In January 1976, an analysis of 1975 robbery complaints in each of the other boroughs was conducted to determine the extent of senior citizen victimization throughout New York City. Four categories of robbery were analyzed which encompass the majority of noncommercial incidents with which we are concerned : Pocketbook includes on- and off-street incidents. Residential premises—includes hallways, elevators, and basements. Open area unclassified—includes all outside robberies with the exception of bicycle, pocketbook, payroll, taxicab, truck driver, and bus which are individually categorized. With emphasis on the most serious robbery categories of residential premises and dwellings, analyses disclosed that: (a) There were 83,190 robberies of all types recorded in New York City in 1975; 16,532, or 20 percent occurred inside a residential premise or dwelling. (b) Approximately one out of four victims were elderly persons, age 60 or over. (c) The following charts can best illustrate the relationship of this type of crime to our elderly citizen : Source: Estimates by the Bureau of the Census as of July 1, 1974, based on a demographic study of each borough. It is quite apparent that the elderly citizens in each of the five boroughs are being disproportionately victimized in this particular category. To further identify the location and frequency of incidence, statistical charts were prepared for each of the seven field services area commands within the five boroughs, including the precincts therein. A review of these statistics indicated that continuation of the Senior Citizens Robbery Unit in the Bronx, and establishment of similar units in the other six field services areas, was well justified. Accordingly, on November 1 the department expanded the program to each of the other boroughs of New York City. There are presently 1 lieutenant, 7 sergeants, and 76 police officers/investigators assigned specifically to address this problem. Personnel assigned to senior citizens units are augmented by other resources of this department; i.e., precinct anticrime officers will target the locations where crimes against the elderly are prevalent. Uninformed patrol officers alerted to the modus operandi of perpetrators observe our elderly citizens at all times in public places and conduct "sweeps" of residential buildings to discourage potential offenders. A close working liaison has been established between this department and the Mayor's Office of the Aging. Further, a system is being developed whereby any and all social resources needed by an elderly crime victim can be obtained by one telephone call from the police to the social services coordinator. The department's continuance and expansion of the current program will be the subject of an application for funding under the provisions of the Crime Control Act of 1976. This request, which is now being prepared, will specifically focus on the crimes against the elderly problem and will include among other approaches, crime prevention, legislative development, and victim assistance. An overall evaluation of our current efforts in this area is scheduled to be completed by February 5, 1977. Appendix 7 PUBLICATIONS LIST COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND REPORTS No asterisk indicates single copy available from committee and multiple copies available for purchase from U.S. Government Printing Office. One asterisk indicates committee's supply exhausted; copies are available for purchase from Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Two asterisks indicate all supplies exhausted. Libraries designated as "Depository Libraries" receive printed or microform copy of all Government publications for inter-library loan and reference service. Three asterisks indicate limited quantity, single copy available from committee supply. Address requests to: Publications, Special Committee on Aging, Room G-233, Dirksen Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. With a request for printed copies of documents, please enclose self-addressed label. REPORTS Action for the Aged and Aging, Report No. 128, March 1961.** Action for the Aged and Aging, summary and recommendations of Report No. 128, 1961.** Developments in Aging, 1959-63, Report No. 8, February 1963.** Developments in Aging, 1963-64, Report No. 124, March 1965.** Developments in Aging, 1965, Report No. 1073, March 15, 1966.** Developments in Aging, 1966, Report No. 169, April 1967.*** Developments in Aging, 1967, Report No. 1098, April 1968.** Developments in Aging, 1968, Report No. 91-119, April 1969.** Developments in Aging, 1969, Report No. 91-875, February 1970.** Developments in Aging, 1970, Report No. 92-46, March 1971 (Cat. No. 92/1:S. Rept. 46)-$3.40.* Developments in Aging: 1971 and January-March 1972, Report No. 92-784, April 1972 (Cat. No. 92/2: S. Rept. 784)-$1.50.* Developments in Aging: 1972 and January-March 1973, Report No. 93-147, May 1973 (Cat. No. 93/1:S. Rept. 147)—$3.05.* Developments in Aging: 1973 and January-March 1974, Report No. 93-846, May 1974 (Cat. No. 93/2:S. Rept. 846)—$3.10.* Developments in Aging: 1974 and January-April 1975, Report No. 94-250, June 1975 (Cat. No. 94/1:S. Rept. 250)-$3.60.* Developments in Aging: 1975 and January-May 1976-Part 1, Report No. 94-998, June 1976 (Cat. No. 94/2:S. Rept. 998/Pt. 1)— $2.95. Developments in Aging: 1975 and January-May 1976-Part 2, Report No. 94-998, June 1976 (Cat. No. 94/2:S. Rept. 998/Pt. 2)— $2.55. Developments in Aging: 1976—Part 1, Report No. 95—, March 1977 (Cat. No. 95/1:S. Rept.-/Pt. 1). Developments in Aging: 1976-Part 2, Report No. 95—, March 1977 (Cat. No. 95/1:S. Rept. -/Pt. 2). Comparison of Health Insurance Proposals for Older Persons, 1961, committee print, April 3, 1961.** The 1961 White House Conference on Aging, basic policy statements and recommendations, committee print, May 15, 1961.** New Population Facts on Older Americans, 1960, staff report, committee print, May 24, 1961.** Basic Facts on the Health and Economic Status of Older Americans, staff report, committee print, June 2, 1961.** Health and Economic Conditions of the American Aged, chart book, committee print, June 1961.** State Action To Implement Medical Programs for the Aged, staff report, committee print, June 8, 1961.** A Constant Purchasing Power Bond: A Proposal for Protecting Retirement Income, committee print, August 1961.** Mental Illness Among Older Americans, committee print, September 8, 1961. ** Comparison of Health Insurance Proposals for Older Persons, 196162, committee print, May 10, 1962.** Background Facts on the Financing of the Health Care of the Aged, committee print, excerpts from the report of the Division of Program Research, Social Security Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, May 24, 1962.** Statistics on Older People: Some Current Facts About the Nation's Older People, June 14, 1962.** Performance of the States: 18 Months of Experience With the Medical Assistance for the Aged (Kerr-Mills) Program, committee print report, June 15, 1962.** ** Housing for the Elderly, committee print report, August 31, 1962.* Some Current Facts About the Nation's Older People, October 2, 1962.** A Compilation of Materials Relevant to the Message of the President of the United States on Our Nation's Senior Citizens, committee print, June 1963.** Medical Assistance for the Aged: The Kerr-Mills Program, 1960-63, committee print report, October 1963.** Blue Cross and Private Health Insurance Coverage of Older Americans, committee print report, July 1964.** Increasing Employment Opportunities for the Elderly-Recommendations and Comment, committee print report, August 1964.** Services for Senior Citizens-Recommendations and Comment, Report No. 1542, September 1964.** Major Federal Legislative and Executive Action Affecting Senior Citizens, 1963-64, staff report, committee print, October 1964.** Frauds and Deceptions Affecting the Elderly-Investigations, Findings, and Recommendations, 1964, committee print report, January 1965. ** Extending Private Pension Coverage, committee print report, June 1965.** |