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