Police Urge Seniors to Report If They’ve Been Victims of Crime (ON. CANADA)

Police Urge Seniors to Report If They’ve Been Victims of Crime (ON. CANADA)

Police urge seniors to report if they’ve been victims of crime
By David Anderson

Like many things, what puts seniors in danger are pre-existing attitudes on them, which are borderline prejudicial stereotypes.

That was one of the points that came out recently as York Regional Police hosted a workshop directed at seniors at the meeting of the Police Services Board.

The presentation was aimed at helping them lead safe, healthy and dignified lives in today’s world.

Inspector Andre Crawford, Constable Kim Majlik and Detective Constable Hoyt Miller all led the presentation.

It was identified by Crawford by 2021, there will be as many seniors in Canada as there are children.

“It’s a reality people get old,” Crawford said.

“Like anyone, when someone is discriminated it can put them in danger,” Miller reported. “This can lead to improper treatment for them.”

Majlik said seniors, of all age groups, are more likely to be victims of crime.

“Types of crimes against seniors are elder abuse, fraud and identity theft, false charities taking money from them and prize pitch, which is when they have been told they have been selected to win a prize, or have been awarded one of three or two of five prizes. These prizes usually include cash or a vehicle. They are then told they must purchase a product and pay in advance to receive their prize. These products are generally cheap or overpriced, but may sound valuable over the phone.”

Police, Miller said, are doing their best to protect seniors. But in order to eliminate as much crime as they can, they need the help of seniors themselves.

“We ask them if they feel like they are being victimized to report the crime to the police,” Miller commented.

SOURCE: King Township Sentinel – Beeton,ON,Canada
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Fraudster Who Stole $6 Million from Elderly Victims, Jailed (Melb. AUSTRALIA)

Swindler who stole millions from elderly and sick clients jailed

By Norrie Ross

July 31, 2009

A FRAUDSTER who stole $6 million from mainly elderly and sick victims, some of whom regarded him as a trusted friend, has been jailed.

Justice Jack Forrest told Robert Day his crimes had devastated his victims, many of whom regarded him as a friend, as he sentenced him to 11 years with an eight-year minimum term.

Justice Forrest said Day seemed impervious to the lives he destroyed.

“Your actions of deliberate dishonesty over a period of nearly 10 years have caused heartache and misery to many of your friends and clients,” the judge said.

“You must have been aware of the potential impact that it would have upon your clients, particularly those who trusted you with their life savings or substantial nest eggs.”

Day, 65, had previously pleaded guilty to a total of 182 counts relating to obtaining property by deception, obtaining a financial advantage by deception, theft and making false documents.

From 1996 to 2004, Day systematically fleeced the business trust account and clients’ investments, with much of the money used to finance his lifestyle, overseas holidays, property purchases and money for his adult children.

One of his victims, wheelchair-bound Mavis Avery, 75, of Apollo Bay, said outside court she was happy with the outcome.

“As long as he’s off the streets, that’s the main thing,” said Mrs Avery, who had $414,000 stolen by Day.

Mrs Avery has a terminal tumour and both her husband and one of her daughters died of cancer around the time Day was stealing her nest egg.

“I said four years ago I wouldn’t die until this man went to jail,” she said.


As Day was led from the prisoners’ dock there was spontaneous applause from a number of his victims in court.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Herald Sun, Melbourne, Australia
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Elder Abuse on the Rise (HI. USA)

Theft by family members is more common than the violent crimes that tend to make the news, a prosecutor says

By Christine Donnelly

Jul 26, 2009

A Honolulu prosecutor says crimes against the elderly are “starting to snowball” and that the failing economy makes senior citizens even more vulnerable.

Two recent high-profile elder abuse cases — against a nursing home worker accused of sexually assaulting dementia patients and a son accused of beating his ailing father — put a spotlight on violent crimes allegedly committed by caregivers, but deputy prosecuting attorney Scott M. Spallina said financial exploitation committed by relatives is more commonly reported.

“The majority of perpetrators are family members. Maybe extended family, nieces, nephews, grandkids,” said Spallina, who heads the city prosecutor’s elder abuse unit. “There’s a lot of property theft, burglary, stolen cars. The majority of seniors still reside in their own homes, so the majority of abuse happens there.”

Although Hawaii has no specific elder-abuse law, several statutes make it easier to prosecute crimes against senior citizens, Spallina said.

One mandates prison time for assaults that result in “substantial bodily injury” if the victim is 60 or older. The other, which took effect this month, qualifies “vulnerable” adults for protective services under the state Department of Human Services when abuse occurs. Previously, the law covered “dependent” adults, leaving many elderly unprotected.

Abridged

SOURCE: Honolulu Star-Bulletin – Honolulu,HI,USA

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