NCJ Number
184484
Journal
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: 2000 Pages: 103-106
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Ventura County, CA, District Attorney’s senior crime prevention program.
Abstract
The Senior Crime Prevention Unit within the Ventura County District Attorney’s office carries out an intensive education and public awareness campaign to alert seniors to scams and frauds, and offer crime prevention tips. The elder abuse and financial exploitation prosecution unit includes two prosecutors, an investigator, an investigative assistant, and four victim advocates. It conducts investigations, initiates criminal charges, and serves as a contact for law enforcement, social service, and community agencies. The Senior Crime Prevention Program within the Victim Services Division distributes specifically designed materials in both English and Spanish, including a Senior Crime Prevention Handbook, prescription cards that offer crime prevention tips, cards with senior resource and law enforcement telephone numbers and audio tapes for seniors who are visually impaired. To alert the community to scams and frauds that commonly occur during the holiday season, a Holiday Crime Alert bulletin is sent annually to senior centers, mobile home parks, and senior housing sites. The District Attorney’s office also distributes to banks, financial institutions, barber shops, beauty salons, and supermarkets a pamphlet with emphasis on preventing financial crimes against seniors.