A Study on the Fear of Crime Among I the Elderly in Lad Phrao Bangkok

Abstract

          The objectives of this study on ‘the Fear of Crimes among the Elder in Lad Phrao, Bangkok’ are to explore the factors that affect the elder’s fear for crimes, to study on the level of the elder’s fear for crimes, and to find ways to reduce the elder’s fear. This study is a survey research work. The samples in this study are 132 members of the Elder Club in lad Phrao District, Bangkok. There are many factors discovered to affect the fear for crimes of the elder in Lat Phrao district. As for the factors in the category of crime prevention, it is discovered that the elder frequently check the safety and security of their households; and takes parts in making the police officers’ operation successful. As for the factors in the category of society and environments of the houses, it is found out that the communities and neighbourhoods in which the elder are living have frequent violence and physical assaults, individualism and frequent crimes. As for the elder’s bodies and minds, it is discovered that the elder who stay at home alone will feel worried and unattended by their families, and have insomnia when learning about the news of crimes. As for the risks to become victims of crimes, it is found out that the elder do not carry valuable assets or great amounts of cash with them and believe that they have more chances to become victims of crimes than people of other ages. Concerning the exposure to news, it is found out that the elder are exposed to news through television channels, believe in the news and have high frequency of exposures to the news. As for the level of fear for crimes in Lad Phrao district of the elder, it is discovered that the elder’s fear is in the high level. The elder are worried that there might be bad things happening to them. The elder are worried about their lives in the future, and fear to go out at night and to stay at home alone. To reduce the elder’s fear is to make them believe that their lives are safe. The authorities whom the elder can rely on are police officers whose operations are to control and prevent crimes in the effective manner in order to make the elder feel confident in living their lives. In addition, the elder should collaborate with police officers in order to become for optimist and reduce their fear for crimes.