Unfortunately, sometimes it feels as though senior citizens are living in a jungle, where they are preyed upon by persons who realize that seniors usually have a few dollars or possessions that they would like to have. These predators engage in crimes of opportunity. Seniors can reduce their chances of being victims by following a few tips to make their situation less of an opportunity.
(I have gathered some of these tips from information provided by the Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute (1-800-303-8802), the Montgomery County Maryland Department of Police (301-279-8000) and from other sources.)
Leaving your home:
Lock all doors and windows.
Turn on your alarm system, if you have one.
Leave a light on.
Make sure you have your keys.
Leave unneeded credit cards at home.
Do not carry large amounts of cash.
Keep your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
Keep your purse close to your body, tucked under your arm, not hanging by straps.
Out walking:
Try to walk with friends or family members.. not alone.
Walk in well-lighted areas.
Walk in areas that you are familiar with.
Try to walk with a purposeful stride, not timidly.
Avoid questionable areas. If someone or something makes you uneasy, trust your instincts and leave the area.
Using public transportation:
Sit close to the driver, or near the exit, when riding on a bus, train or subway.
Lock the door when in a taxi.
Exit transportation only in a well-lighted area.
Driving your car:
Use your seat belt, even for a short ride.
Lock all doors and windows when in your car.
Keep your vehicle registration in your wallet or purse, rather than in the vehicle.
Keep a charged cell phone in your car. There are free cell phones that can be used to dial 911 in case of an emergency.
Try not to make left turns. Sometimes, a series of right turns can serve the same purpose. (Statistics that I have seen, show that making left turns is a major cause of accidents by senior citizens.)
Parking your car:
Park in a well-lit and populated area. On the street, try to park under a street light.
Try to park near the entrance of parking garages, preferably within sight of a guard station.
Do not leave electronic devices, including GPS systems, visible. Lock them in your trunk.
Remove all other valuable material from the car and lock them in the trunk.
Lock all of your doors and make sure your windows are up. Take the keys with you.
If you have one, activate the visible vehicle anti-theft device that locks your steering wheel.
If you have one, activate your vehicle alarm system.
If someone is sitting in the car parked next to you, consider writing that license number just in case.
It is very important that you write down your parking location so you do not forget it.
Returning to your car:
Carry your keys in you hand, so you do not have to spend time rummaging through pockets or a purse to find them.
From a distance, try to look under your car to see if someone has hidden there.
Once in your car, lock the doors right away.
If confronted by an armed carjacker, don't resist.
......... Be careful! .............
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
17th Annual Maryland TRIAD/SALT Conference
This is Crime Prevention Month and today, I attended a wonderful conference for the Maryland TRIAD/SALT organizations. It was held in Bethesda, Maryland and in spite of intermittent violent rain storms, traffic jams, detours and errors in the Mapquest directions, I arrived at the conference location, although three hours after I left home, on a trip that normally takes an hour and a quarter.
In between, I erroneously checked in at the Bethesda Police Headquarters, narrowly avoided a ticket at the Police parking lot, sneaked through the Hyatt Regency Hotel, jay-walked through crowds of people, and huffed and puffed through several steep sets of stairs.
But it was all worth it. The presentations were related to Senior Citizen issues and were professionally done and very informative. I'll try to say a little about some of them.
The Bethesda Division Chief told us about some of the things that some Police Departments are doing to get crime under control in their areas. One method is by monitoring criminals by placing GPS tracking devices on their autos, without them knowing about it.
State Delegate Ben Kramer spoke about Senior Citizen legislation. He mentioned that Maryland is now the only state to criminalize "undue influence" over seniors.
He also mentioned the "Silver Alert" legislation that provides for State and local police alerts by radio, TV and signs when a person with cognitive impairment goes missing. Besides Alzheimer patients, this could also pertain to autistic children. It is very important that such a missing person be found within 24 hours.. longer than that, chances are that they will not survive.
Delegate Kramer is currently trying to get stiffer penalties for criminals who victimize seniors.
Michael Lachance, head of the Maryland Department of Aging spoke about programs to assist seniors staying in their homes ("aging in place"). Over 500 people in Maryland have been relocated back into the community from nursing homes.
Mike mentioned that 20 years from now over 50% of the population will have cognitive impairment.
Mike is involved with the MAP program (Maryland Access Point) implemented in Howard County. MAP is a single point for adults 50 and over and adults 18 and over, with disabilities, to receive information and assistance in obtaining available benefits and services.
Joy Hatchette, of the Maryland Insurance Administration gave a very informative talk about four types of insurance:
Automobile; House; Life; Long Term Care.
She gave us tips about each and brochures that tell us all we need to know about each type of insurance. (I invited her to speak to some of my Senior organizations. She lives in Reisterstown and therefore, it will be easy for her to comply.)
During lunch, Nurse Anna Stokes of the Suburban Hospital, talked to us about nutrition for seniors and the risk factors that increase the chances of developing a disease or having it worsen.
1. Smoking.
2. High blood pressure.
3. High blood cholesterol.
4. Obesity.
5. Lack of physical activity.
6. Diabetes.
She recommended not smoking, following a heart healthy eating plan, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. She gave us a lot of information about how to do these things.
Claude Nelson of the Maryland Crime Prevention Institute talked about the current drug situation with prescriptions and over the counter drugs. Our young people are taking risks with their lives but don't seem to realize it. Claude is involved with the DARE Program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).
http://www.dare.com/
Public Transportation Safety Officer Weatherspoon of the Metro Police told us about how his organization is working to protect people using public transportation in the DC area. We all need to practise Situation Awareness.
Matthew Kelleher, Fire and Rescue, talked about fire safety and told us what we need to know about smoke detectors. Some now have built-in batteries that last for ten years! I mentioned my problem with the detector that was installed over our stove and that we have 25 detectors in our house. I just counted, and I may have been a little high.. we have 15 of a couple of kinds, plus a carbon monoxide detector.
Ralph Vines of the Montgomery County Consumer Protection office gave us examples of the scams that people in that County have referred to his office. Some of them:
Bad contractors.
Driveways. Chimneys. Roofing.
Phoney awards.
Phoney checks to cash.
Educational tapes hook.
Work at home.
Shopping jobs.
"Lifetime" guarantees.
Funeral coverage.
I mentioned the "assassin scam". Nobody had heard of that yet.
The officers involved in putting on this conference did a great job in my opinion. I remember from last year how much work is involved and they made it look easy.
I took a lot of the handouts and will be discussing all of the crime issues with our Westminster, Maryland TRIAD/SALT organization.
In between, I erroneously checked in at the Bethesda Police Headquarters, narrowly avoided a ticket at the Police parking lot, sneaked through the Hyatt Regency Hotel, jay-walked through crowds of people, and huffed and puffed through several steep sets of stairs.
But it was all worth it. The presentations were related to Senior Citizen issues and were professionally done and very informative. I'll try to say a little about some of them.
The Bethesda Division Chief told us about some of the things that some Police Departments are doing to get crime under control in their areas. One method is by monitoring criminals by placing GPS tracking devices on their autos, without them knowing about it.
State Delegate Ben Kramer spoke about Senior Citizen legislation. He mentioned that Maryland is now the only state to criminalize "undue influence" over seniors.
He also mentioned the "Silver Alert" legislation that provides for State and local police alerts by radio, TV and signs when a person with cognitive impairment goes missing. Besides Alzheimer patients, this could also pertain to autistic children. It is very important that such a missing person be found within 24 hours.. longer than that, chances are that they will not survive.
Delegate Kramer is currently trying to get stiffer penalties for criminals who victimize seniors.
Michael Lachance, head of the Maryland Department of Aging spoke about programs to assist seniors staying in their homes ("aging in place"). Over 500 people in Maryland have been relocated back into the community from nursing homes.
Mike mentioned that 20 years from now over 50% of the population will have cognitive impairment.
Mike is involved with the MAP program (Maryland Access Point) implemented in Howard County. MAP is a single point for adults 50 and over and adults 18 and over, with disabilities, to receive information and assistance in obtaining available benefits and services.
Joy Hatchette, of the Maryland Insurance Administration gave a very informative talk about four types of insurance:
Automobile; House; Life; Long Term Care.
She gave us tips about each and brochures that tell us all we need to know about each type of insurance. (I invited her to speak to some of my Senior organizations. She lives in Reisterstown and therefore, it will be easy for her to comply.)
During lunch, Nurse Anna Stokes of the Suburban Hospital, talked to us about nutrition for seniors and the risk factors that increase the chances of developing a disease or having it worsen.
1. Smoking.
2. High blood pressure.
3. High blood cholesterol.
4. Obesity.
5. Lack of physical activity.
6. Diabetes.
She recommended not smoking, following a heart healthy eating plan, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. She gave us a lot of information about how to do these things.
Claude Nelson of the Maryland Crime Prevention Institute talked about the current drug situation with prescriptions and over the counter drugs. Our young people are taking risks with their lives but don't seem to realize it. Claude is involved with the DARE Program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).
http://www.dare.com/
Public Transportation Safety Officer Weatherspoon of the Metro Police told us about how his organization is working to protect people using public transportation in the DC area. We all need to practise Situation Awareness.
Matthew Kelleher, Fire and Rescue, talked about fire safety and told us what we need to know about smoke detectors. Some now have built-in batteries that last for ten years! I mentioned my problem with the detector that was installed over our stove and that we have 25 detectors in our house. I just counted, and I may have been a little high.. we have 15 of a couple of kinds, plus a carbon monoxide detector.
Ralph Vines of the Montgomery County Consumer Protection office gave us examples of the scams that people in that County have referred to his office. Some of them:
Bad contractors.
Driveways. Chimneys. Roofing.
Phoney awards.
Phoney checks to cash.
Educational tapes hook.
Work at home.
Shopping jobs.
"Lifetime" guarantees.
Funeral coverage.
I mentioned the "assassin scam". Nobody had heard of that yet.
The officers involved in putting on this conference did a great job in my opinion. I remember from last year how much work is involved and they made it look easy.
I took a lot of the handouts and will be discussing all of the crime issues with our Westminster, Maryland TRIAD/SALT organization.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
TRIAD/SALT mtg on April 15, 2010
We met today at the Westminster, Maryland Senior Activity Center.. this was one of our monthly meetings. We had a small crowd (15 or so) but we had lots to talk about.
01. Cell phones: I boxed up 3o used cell phones and mailed them to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. We should receive a few dollars from them for our TRIAD treasury and the phones will be renovated and reused, mainly for people who need them just to call 911.
02. GPS theft and usage.
03. Using definitive nicknames on cell phones that may be stolen.
04. Yesterday, I got a call saying that my credit card is expiring and asking that I push buttons. Surprisingly, caller ID showed a Westminster, Maryland telephone number and a name. I called the number to complain about the call. The woman who answered said that no calls had been made from there and hung up.
I was advised to wait and if the situation occurs again, to contact the telephone company.
05. Photo identification is now necessary at radiology sites and probably at all other medical places. Sounds like a good idea to eliminate some fraud.
06. The jury duty scam. This one is ongoing.
07. The census worker scam. Also still going on.
08. The home repair scam.. where you pay cash for a half-done job on a project that didn't need doing in the first place. Now there is another twist: the scammer insists that you walk out in the street to get a better look at what needs to be done.. and while out there an accomplice sneaks through the unlocked front door and steals small things that are easy to sell, but are often unnoticed for a while.
09. I spoke about my conversations with Joleen Sullivan, the head of the Carroll County Bureau of Aging. One of our suggestions for a very basic computer book for seniors met with a good result and several copies were bought for Carroll County seniors.
Also, another of our members complained about the $94 water bill she got, even though she was in the hospital for most of that time. She lives ten feet from the city line so she has to pay non-city rates. She and others have complained about the "tough luck" attitude of the people who send out those bills.
01. Cell phones: I boxed up 3o used cell phones and mailed them to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. We should receive a few dollars from them for our TRIAD treasury and the phones will be renovated and reused, mainly for people who need them just to call 911.
02. GPS theft and usage.
03. Using definitive nicknames on cell phones that may be stolen.
04. Yesterday, I got a call saying that my credit card is expiring and asking that I push buttons. Surprisingly, caller ID showed a Westminster, Maryland telephone number and a name. I called the number to complain about the call. The woman who answered said that no calls had been made from there and hung up.
I was advised to wait and if the situation occurs again, to contact the telephone company.
05. Photo identification is now necessary at radiology sites and probably at all other medical places. Sounds like a good idea to eliminate some fraud.
06. The jury duty scam. This one is ongoing.
07. The census worker scam. Also still going on.
08. The home repair scam.. where you pay cash for a half-done job on a project that didn't need doing in the first place. Now there is another twist: the scammer insists that you walk out in the street to get a better look at what needs to be done.. and while out there an accomplice sneaks through the unlocked front door and steals small things that are easy to sell, but are often unnoticed for a while.
09. I spoke about my conversations with Joleen Sullivan, the head of the Carroll County Bureau of Aging. One of our suggestions for a very basic computer book for seniors met with a good result and several copies were bought for Carroll County seniors.
Also, another of our members complained about the $94 water bill she got, even though she was in the hospital for most of that time. She lives ten feet from the city line so she has to pay non-city rates. She and others have complained about the "tough luck" attitude of the people who send out those bills.
10. One of our members warned us about a company that has swindled some senior citizens out of thousands of dollars. The swindled persons should be contacting the States Attorney's office.
Next month (May 20, 2010, at 10 am at the Carroll County Senior Activity Center) we will be visited by Jessica Bullock, Carroll County Sheriff's Department Forensic Section. Jessica will talk to us about the latest investigation procedures and resources.
...................................................................
Saturday, March 13, 2010
What is TRIAD? What does TRIAD do?
What is TRIAD?
Older Americans comprise the most rapidly growing segment of the population. One in every eight Americans is already age 65 or older. Increased life expectancy is leading to new issues and problems for the criminal justice system as most communities experience a dramatic increase in numbers of older persons. Calls for service to investigate crimes on older persons, to help older victims of crime, to prevent crime on senior citizens... all of this activity is increasing and changing from what it used to be.
The first TRIAD was signed in 1988 by the AARP, the International Associations of Chiefs of Police (IACP)and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA). This agreement enabled these three agencies to work together to reduce both criminal victimization and unwarranted fear of crime affecting older persons.
What does TRIAD do?
TRIAD is a way to involve law enforcement and older citizens. The focus is determined by both, assessing the needs of any particular community.
Our goal is to Educate, Assist, Emphasize, Communicate and Get Involved.
Some of our areas of action:
o Initiating crime prevention programs for older citizens.
o Manning information booths and tables at civic functions.
o Expanding involvement in Neighborhood Watch programs.
o Offering free home security inspections and information.
o Publishing personal safety tips.
o Teaching about current frauds and scams.
o Publishing ideas for coping with telephone solicitation and door-to-door salesmen.
o Training deputies and officers in communication with and assistance to older persons.
Older Americans comprise the most rapidly growing segment of the population. One in every eight Americans is already age 65 or older. Increased life expectancy is leading to new issues and problems for the criminal justice system as most communities experience a dramatic increase in numbers of older persons. Calls for service to investigate crimes on older persons, to help older victims of crime, to prevent crime on senior citizens... all of this activity is increasing and changing from what it used to be.
The first TRIAD was signed in 1988 by the AARP, the International Associations of Chiefs of Police (IACP)and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA). This agreement enabled these three agencies to work together to reduce both criminal victimization and unwarranted fear of crime affecting older persons.
What does TRIAD do?
TRIAD is a way to involve law enforcement and older citizens. The focus is determined by both, assessing the needs of any particular community.
Our goal is to Educate, Assist, Emphasize, Communicate and Get Involved.
Some of our areas of action:
o Initiating crime prevention programs for older citizens.
o Manning information booths and tables at civic functions.
o Expanding involvement in Neighborhood Watch programs.
o Offering free home security inspections and information.
o Publishing personal safety tips.
o Teaching about current frauds and scams.
o Publishing ideas for coping with telephone solicitation and door-to-door salesmen.
o Training deputies and officers in communication with and assistance to older persons.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Carroll County TRIAD 02/23/2010
The Carroll County, Maryland, TRIAD is an organization dedicated to helping senior citizens avoid the scams that are lurking everywhere. TRIAD consists of police department members, AARP, and concerned seniors. We meet once a month at the Westminster, Maryland Senior Activities Center, where we discuss current scams and how to avoid and interact with them in case they do occur.
In this blog, we will discuss scams and crimes in general, in the hope that seniors, as well as law enforcement, can relate these activities to their own lives and help them avoid problems in the future.
01. E-CARDS. Watch out for E-Cards. Reading one might install malicious software in your computer. Don't open an E-Card from someone you don't know.. or from an unnamed person.
02. ELDERLAW radio: Visit www.elderlawanswers.com for all kinds of helpful information for senior citizens.
03. Flight Insurance: Be careful, flight insurance may not be worth buying because the price is extremely high, and flying is now quite safe.
04. Speed limit: Since the speed limit was raised from 55 mph in 1995, 12,000 additional deaths have been reported on the highways.
05. New Credit Card Rules: New credit card rules took effect on February 22nd. The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act is a big step towards helping to reduce the amount of interest consumers pay. However, the credit card company may find new and innovative ways to make money in spite of the restrictions. So, make sure you read the fine print!
06. Stents. Maryland lawmakers are checking the records of one of Baltimore's famous hospitals as part of an investigation into the possibility that over 300 patients may have been given unnecessary heart stents.
07. Pot smoking. The use of marijuana is up among seniors, supposedly to relieve pain.
08. Rev Ike: Reverend Ike died a few months ago. You might remember him from his TV shows that were great entertainment. His catch phrase was "I got what it takes, to take what you got!"
09. Texting. Sixteen states have now passed anti-texting while driving laws.
10. Cult practices. Members of a cult are on trial in Baltimore for the starvation death of a 16 month old child who did not say "amen" before a meal when he was 1 year old!
A plea deal was effectuated by the child's mother, part of which was that if the child came back to life, her guilty plea would be vacated.
11. Forgery. A DC lobbying firm for the coal industry was zapped for sending out forged letters from organizations, in which opposition to climate change legiislation was urged of Congressmen.
12. ATM's.Watch out for rogue ATM machines.. machines that look like legitimate ATM's, but which steal card numbers and PINs.
13. Sports Betting. It has been reported that over five billion dollars was wagered legally and illegally on the Superbowl.
14. Senior Betting.In New York state, daily card games at a senior center were raided because the seniors were betting dimes and quarters.
This happened a few years ago in Carroll County, Maryland.. and the outrage was so loud that the Maryland legislature passed a law to allow senior betting for money in senior centers.
15. Language. In Slovakia, one may go to jail if one speaks other thatn the Slovak language in government offices or businesses.
16. Autistic hacker. The US is deciding whether to jail an autistic hacker, who hacked into Pentagon and NASA computers.
17. Peepers. Police have warned people not to display holiday gifts in front of bay windows, or put gift wrapped boxes out to the street, because thieves might take advantage and break into your house.
18. Credit Reports. They are at it again, soliciting money to get you credit reports. Watch out.. credit reports are now free.. also, if you sign up with these companies, you will get an annual fee taken out of your credit card account.
To get a true free credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com
19. Medicare Fraud. People are still trying to defraud Medicare. Reports are submiitted for non-existant medical problems and services not given. In addition, multiple billings are submitted.
Elaine has had a problem with doctors submitting bills to her even when the report from Blue Cross says they are not entitled to more than was given them by insurance. Don't be scared by bills that you don't feel you should have to pay. Report the biller to the insurance company or to the Medicare Fraud office.
20. Bags. Plastic bags have now been outlawed in San Francisco and DC has passed a law that requires customers to pay five cents for each plastic bag that they use.
21. Unwanted checks. I see a headline in the paper that says "Australia is fighting terrorism with tough visa checks." and this reminds me that credit card companies continue to send out tantalizing checks to their clients. The checks can be used like cash and the amount of the checks is added to your credit card bill. You do not have to get these checks! Contact the company and tell them you do not want to get them anymore. Usually this will work.
.........................................................
In this blog, we will discuss scams and crimes in general, in the hope that seniors, as well as law enforcement, can relate these activities to their own lives and help them avoid problems in the future.
01. E-CARDS. Watch out for E-Cards. Reading one might install malicious software in your computer. Don't open an E-Card from someone you don't know.. or from an unnamed person.
02. ELDERLAW radio: Visit www.elderlawanswers.com for all kinds of helpful information for senior citizens.
03. Flight Insurance: Be careful, flight insurance may not be worth buying because the price is extremely high, and flying is now quite safe.
04. Speed limit: Since the speed limit was raised from 55 mph in 1995, 12,000 additional deaths have been reported on the highways.
05. New Credit Card Rules: New credit card rules took effect on February 22nd. The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act is a big step towards helping to reduce the amount of interest consumers pay. However, the credit card company may find new and innovative ways to make money in spite of the restrictions. So, make sure you read the fine print!
06. Stents. Maryland lawmakers are checking the records of one of Baltimore's famous hospitals as part of an investigation into the possibility that over 300 patients may have been given unnecessary heart stents.
07. Pot smoking. The use of marijuana is up among seniors, supposedly to relieve pain.
08. Rev Ike: Reverend Ike died a few months ago. You might remember him from his TV shows that were great entertainment. His catch phrase was "I got what it takes, to take what you got!"
09. Texting. Sixteen states have now passed anti-texting while driving laws.
10. Cult practices. Members of a cult are on trial in Baltimore for the starvation death of a 16 month old child who did not say "amen" before a meal when he was 1 year old!
A plea deal was effectuated by the child's mother, part of which was that if the child came back to life, her guilty plea would be vacated.
11. Forgery. A DC lobbying firm for the coal industry was zapped for sending out forged letters from organizations, in which opposition to climate change legiislation was urged of Congressmen.
12. ATM's.Watch out for rogue ATM machines.. machines that look like legitimate ATM's, but which steal card numbers and PINs.
13. Sports Betting. It has been reported that over five billion dollars was wagered legally and illegally on the Superbowl.
14. Senior Betting.In New York state, daily card games at a senior center were raided because the seniors were betting dimes and quarters.
This happened a few years ago in Carroll County, Maryland.. and the outrage was so loud that the Maryland legislature passed a law to allow senior betting for money in senior centers.
15. Language. In Slovakia, one may go to jail if one speaks other thatn the Slovak language in government offices or businesses.
16. Autistic hacker. The US is deciding whether to jail an autistic hacker, who hacked into Pentagon and NASA computers.
17. Peepers. Police have warned people not to display holiday gifts in front of bay windows, or put gift wrapped boxes out to the street, because thieves might take advantage and break into your house.
18. Credit Reports. They are at it again, soliciting money to get you credit reports. Watch out.. credit reports are now free.. also, if you sign up with these companies, you will get an annual fee taken out of your credit card account.
To get a true free credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com
19. Medicare Fraud. People are still trying to defraud Medicare. Reports are submiitted for non-existant medical problems and services not given. In addition, multiple billings are submitted.
Elaine has had a problem with doctors submitting bills to her even when the report from Blue Cross says they are not entitled to more than was given them by insurance. Don't be scared by bills that you don't feel you should have to pay. Report the biller to the insurance company or to the Medicare Fraud office.
20. Bags. Plastic bags have now been outlawed in San Francisco and DC has passed a law that requires customers to pay five cents for each plastic bag that they use.
21. Unwanted checks. I see a headline in the paper that says "Australia is fighting terrorism with tough visa checks." and this reminds me that credit card companies continue to send out tantalizing checks to their clients. The checks can be used like cash and the amount of the checks is added to your credit card bill. You do not have to get these checks! Contact the company and tell them you do not want to get them anymore. Usually this will work.
.........................................................
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