Club Drugs, Ecstasy and Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
The use of recreational drugs to facilitate sexual assaults is not a new concept. Alcohol has been used for years to commit rape because of its accessibility and is still the most widely-used drug for committing sexual assault.
The use of “club drugs” or “date rape” drugs has become increasingly popular in the last few years. As drugs have become more sophisticated in their effectiveness, the uses of such drugs become more attractive for committing rape.
The typical tactic for committing drug-facilitated sexual assaults is to slip the drug unknowingly into the alcoholic drink of a female. The victim losses consciousness in a short period of time, is assaulted, and often has no memory of the event.
Methamphetamine
Since mid-1990’s, meth has become particularly popular among young adults and teenager’s seeking cheap alternatives to cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
In 2002, DEA reported more than 9,000 Meth lab raids, up from 800 in 1995.
Meth comes as a white, odorless and bitter-tasting crystalline powder or small brightly colored pills. It can be smoked, inhaled, swallowed or injected.
ATM Security Recommendations
The program features information on different methods of ATM theft including fraudulent access, robbery of a patron, unregulated privately owned machines, and ATM machine or installation attack. Also included are ways for you to safely and properly use an ATM and protect yourself and your accounts from attack.
Identity Theft and Identity Fraud
Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.
Identity Theft occurs when someone gains access to a person’s basic information, including name, address and credit card or Social Security numbers, and uses that information to open new charge or bank accounts, order merchandise or borrow money, fraudulently use telephone calling cards, etc.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, affecting approximately 9.3 million American adults in 2004 (according to BBB).
Operation Identification
Operation Identification is a citizen’s burglary prevention program for use in homes, personal property and business. There are three components to the Operation Identification program:
- Permanently marking valuables with an individual identifying number (preferably state driver’s license number) so that stolen property can be traced when recovered and returned to its owner.
- Maintaining an inventory of items, serial numbers and engraved numbers
- Displaying an Operation Identification adhesive decal that indicates items of value have been marked or engraved.
Aggressive Driving and “Road Rage”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…..
“The commission of two or more moving violation that is likely to endanger other persons or property, or any single intentional violation that requires a defensive reaction of another driver.”
Road Rage
“An assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of one motor vehicle on the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle caused by an incident that occurred on a roadway.”
Principles and History of Crime Prevention
What Is Crime Prevention?
Crime prevention is defined as “the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and the initiation of some act to remove or reduce it.” (National Crime Prevention Institute)
Crime is the result of the DESIRE or wish to commit a crime, the ABILITY or knowledge how to commit the crime and the OPPORTUNITY to commit the crime.
DESIRE + ABILITY + OPPORTUNITY = CRIME
Crime Prevention Programs for Senior Citizens
Senior citizens represent the most rapidly growing segment of the population in the United States today. One in every eight Americans is currently 65 or older, a total of more than 35 million, by the year 2030, the number of senior citizens is expected to exceed 64 million in the U.S.
Why Should We Be Concerned?
- As we age, our body functions deteriorate and we become less able to defend ourselves or project a confident image
- As they age, seniors may suffer mental impairment or dementia
- Seniors may suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and become lost or disoriented
- Seniors may become the victims of Elder Abuse which may include physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse or neglect by family members or someone known to the older person
- Seniors may be abused or neglected while in the care of Nursing Homes
- Nationwide, 1.6 million people live in 17,000 nursing home
- 30% of the nation’s nursing homes have been cited for violations that harmed residents or placed them in immediate jeopardy
- Patients fear retribution and relatives fear patients will be forced to leave
Houses of Worship Crime Prevention
Potential Areas of Church Victimization
- Burglary – Most frequent church crime - churches have valuable sound systems and audiovisual equipment, computers and office equipment, art objects, etc.
- Criminal Assault – Personal safety of church employees
- Theft Of and From Motor Vehicles
- Hate Crimes – Arson - Political activists may deface or vandalize church property because of anti-abortion or homosexual positions.
- Panhandlers
- Robbery – On church grounds or when making church fund deposits.
- Embezzlement or Misappropriation of Funds – Audit controls of church funds are often weak. Individuals are entrusted with church’s financial assets. Churches often have numerous small cash funds.
The Use of Volunteers in Crime Prevention
The Need for Volunteers
- Limited crime prevention personnel resources
- Financial strain on local law enforcement budgets
- Increased need for services for senior citizens
- Increased availability of senior citizen volunteers
Youth-Directed Crime Prevention
Crime prevention strategies targeting youth primarily focus upon the Prevention of Criminalization – attempt to address the desire to commit crimes – attempt to change the life course of potential offenders.
Is it any more difficult growing up in America today than it was 20-30 years ago?
- Lack of parental supervision – “latchkey children”
- Over-indulgence by some parents
- Increased amount of violence and sexual content on TV, movies, advertising, etc.
- Internet-related vulnerabilities
- Greater accessibility to illegal chemical substances
- Greater accessibility to private motor vehicles
- Greater (in some cases) academic pressures
- Lack of role models