This multimethod study of crime and the elderly in a small-town setting approaches the related issues from varied perspectives and ultimately presents a different picture of fear of crime among the elderly than that which dominates the current literature. Three features contribute to this book's uniqueness. The first is a departure from the urban view; the second is an emphasis on phenomenology; and the third is multimethodology. With an emphasis on qualitative research, this study allows the elderly and other key informants to present their own portrait relative to crime..a portrait that is far more contextually varied and far less dominated by fear and vulnerability than is commonly assumed.

Acknowledgments; List of Tables; Chapter 1: Introduction Contextual Factors; Media Impact; Lifestyle Impact; A Paradox: The Urban View; The Qualitative Perspective; The Issues; Definitions; Chapter 2: In Support of Qualitative Research Phenomenology; A Naturalistic Approach; Demography and Crime Issues; Elderly Fear of Crime; Literature Limitations; Victimization and Daily Routine; Victimization and Other Variables; The Fear/Risk Discrepancy; Reducing the Threat; Fear Predictors and Instigators; Chapter 3: Multi-Methodology; Key Informant Interviews; Local Newspaper References to Crimes; Questionnaire; Chapter 4: Multi-Method Products Key Informant Interviews; Local Newspaper References to Crimes; Questionnaire Results; Chapter 5: Concluding Discourse ; The Informants; Triangulation; Limitations; Observations and Recommendations; Conclusion; Epilogue: Key Informants Married Couple; Community Services Coordinator; Reported Crime Data; Final Thoughts; Appendices; References