| Martin was an 80 year old citizen of North | | | | |
| Dakota. He had relatives who lived far away | | | | The elderly have always been victims and |
| and were only able to visit periodically. | | | | targets of crime. Criminals view them as good |
| Although he is up in age, he still does all | | | | targets because the are usually on fixed |
| the things he needs to live from day to day. | | | | incomes and settled into a routine. They |
| With a little help from his neighbors he gets | | | | sometimes live alone, which makes them more |
| along just fine. He is living where he wants | | | | of a target. They grew up in simpler times |
| to live, and around people who check on him | | | | so they are trusting. They expect neighbors |
| from time to time. | | | | to be helpful to them, as they would be to |
| | | | them. |
| The weather was brutal in the winter months | | | | |
| so he did not get out much. There is too much | | | | So it is not surprising that they fall victim |
| uncertainty for a man of his age to be | | | | to the con artists and thugs of today. |
| wandering around outside. One day while | | | | Elderly people living alone are especially |
| sitting at home alone, there came a knock at | | | | vulnerable. They must learn to defend |
| the door. Its was a fairly young guy with a | | | | themselves, but many of them fear guns. Lots |
| clean demeanor. | | | | of them have dogs but find it difficult to do |
| | | | all the things necessary to take care of a |
| He said he was from the Gas Company and was | | | | pet. They have a limited amount of money and |
| sent out to warn residents of a gas leak from | | | | may not be able to afford professional pet |
| the construction around the street. Martin | | | | care. |
| was well aware of the construction around the | | | | |
| street so he did not think twice and opened | | | | There are panic buttons for the elderly, but |
| the door. At that moment, the guy forced his | | | | again they cost money to maintain. Being |
| way inside by shoving Martin back | | | | aware and double checking strangers will keep |
| | | | elderly people out of trouble. Electronic |
| He locked the door and proceeded to search | | | | bill payments and other functions of the |
| the house. He demanded money and jewelry. | | | | computer can be lifesavers. They keep elderly |
| Martin was a tough old man and volunteered | | | | people from making unnecessary trips to |
| very little to the attacker. Martin did not | | | | businesses. |
| see a weapon, so he tried to attract help by | | | | |
| talking really loud. When he got close | | | | If you are elderly and living alone, you can |
| enough to the nightstand he turned the TV on, | | | | place self defense devices through out your |
| which had the volume set at its highest | | | | home. Only you should know where they are. |
| level. This was normal for him. If the volume | | | | They might include noisemakers, panic buttons |
| went down the neighbors knew he was all | | | | if economically feasible, and others. You can |
| right. If it stayed high they knew he needed | | | | also have someone that you trust call you |
| help and would rush over. | | | | periodically. |
| | | | |
| The intruder tried to turn it off, but could | | | | You can give them a word that if you use will |
| not operate the remote. The burglar was | | | | alert them to call for help. This is call a |
| getting frustrated and afraid of being | | | | duress word. It is a system used in many |
| caught. He continued fumbling trying to turn | | | | prominent businesses and the military to |
| the TV off . Fearing that the neighbors | | | | identify hostage situations or other trouble. |
| would soon come to investigate. The Burglar | | | | The key to its effectiveness is secrecy. |
| left the house and ran down the street. | | | | |