NCJ Number
28006
Date Published
1975
Length
30 pages
Annotation
PROJECT DIRECTED BY THE COUNSELING SECTION OF THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT SINCE 1974 TO OFFER A PHONE-IN SERVICE TO SENIOR CITIZENS SO THAT THEY CAN BE CHECKED DAILY BY SOMEONE.
Abstract
A PHONE LINE WAS INSTALLED INTO THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT OFFICE FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIFELINE. VOLUNTEERS WERE RECRUITED TO ANSWER THE CALLS EACH MORNING FROM 9 TO 11 AM AND WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY CALLS WERE HANDLED BY THE DISPATCHER. EACH SENIOR CITIZEN CALLS THE LIFELINE NUMBER AT THEIR ASSIGNED TIME TO REPORT THAT THEY ARE FINE. BY 11 AM IF NO CALL IS RECEIVED, A CALL IS MADE TO THEM. IF THERE IS NO ANSWER, AN AMBULANCE IS DISPATCHED TO THE RESIDENCE TO INVESTIGATE. TO OBTAIN MEMBERSHIP, A SENIOR CITIZEN OR HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUAL NEED ONLY CALL THE MAIN POLICE NUMBER, THE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT, OR THE LIFELINE NUMBER AND REQUEST TO BE PLACED ON THE LIST. THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP, ONLY THAT THE PERSON BE WILLING TO MAKE THE PHONE CALL EVERY MORNING TO THE LIFELINE NUMBER. OPERATION LIFELINE OPERATES ON A BUDGET WHICH CONSISTS OF THE PRICE OF THE PHONE LINE. THIS COST IS COVERED UNDER THE CITY AND THE SALARY OF THE COORDINATOR IS COVERED BY AN LEAA GRANT. SEVENTY-SIX PHONE CALLS ARE TAKEN BY VOLUNTEERS, SO THE OPERATING COSTS ARE MINIMAL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)