Police outline strategy to address crime against seniors
By Bill Rea

Crime against seniors is a "very pressing issue," according to Inspector Paul Pedersen of York Regional Police, and it's likely to get more serious as the population ages.

Pedersen and some of his colleagues outlined the strategy they use to deal with this recently to members of the public and the police services board.

He said the fact that seniors are victimized is one of society's darkest secrets. He added incidents are underreported, often because the perpetrator is a person in a position of trust with the victim.

Pedersen said it's a little hard to define a senior, although for the purposes of the presentation he settled on someone 65 years of age or older. He added there are some diseases, like Parkinson's normally associated with the elderly, but which can attack younger people too.

He also pointed to the need to address ageism, and the stereotyping that can lead to discrimination of people because of their age. These conceptions can impact on the treatment seniors receive.

The seniors' population is growing, in Canada, Ontario and in York. Pedersen said Ontario now has more than five times the number of seniors it did in 1971, and it's estimated about 21 per cent of the population in York will be 65 or older by 2026. There's also a substantial increase in the number of seniors in the immigrant population. He explained it's part of the cultural mosaic, but pointed out these people need services in different languages, and cultural norms have to be considered in providing programs. He also said trends affecting health and aging, like Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Osteoporosis and heart disease, have to be addressed because they are going to be more common.

Pedersen observed there was a time when people tended to live their lives in the same community, but they move across oceans today. That means a lot of older people are left alone.

This isolation means there's an increased risk of victimization, as well as more danger of injury.

The expected impacts on police include more calls for service. Since family members are often responsible for

abuse, there's going to be a reluctance on the parts of victims to report incidents, although police will work to encourage it. Pedersen said there will be greater need for sensitivity and understanding, as some seniors are going to have trouble remembering details.

"We need to work on preventing this crime before it happens," he declared.

Constable Kim Majlik, seniors' support liaison officer, said the most common crimes committed against seniors include elder abuse, fraud and identity theft, getting them to contribute to false charities or pitching prizes that they might think they have won.

Elder abuse is defined as any action or inaction that jeopardizes the health or well-being of a senior. That includes physical, psychological, emotional and financial abuse, as well as neglect. Majlik said physical abuse is the easiest to recognize, although it's also easy to mistake something else for abuse. She pointed out misuse of some medications can result in bruising. Psychological abuse can be mistaken for depression, or as just part of the aging process. Neglect can be hard

to recognize too, she said. Some seniors, because of their condition, might have trouble taking proper care of themselves.

Fraud and identity theft are the most common crimes committed against seniors, Majlik said, pointing out people can lose their money, identity and self respect through it. The perpetrators can be door-to-door salespeople or telemarketers.

"It's only a deal if you really want it," Majlik said she stresses to people she talks to. She adds if they really think they need it, they should talk to family about it and get more information.

She pointed out a lot of these perpetrators are very skilled when it comes to selling, and they know how to target those who are isolated and alone.

Those who are alone are at risk, along with those who are widowed, dependent or have physical impairments. Offences are often the result of family difficulties, emotional or psychiatric problems, the fact the abuser is having trouble coping with the situation.

"It's a lot harder to pick up the phone and report someone who's a family member," she observed.

Detective Constable Ron Axamit of the major frauds bureau, said investigating crimes of this nature is given a high priority in York. The strategies police are employing include reassurance and making the victim feel comfortable, as well as obtaining the assistance of caregivers. He added all the investigators in this section are senior officers with plenty of experience. He added the Ontario Police College is working on training programs in this area.

Axamit said his section works with a number of outside organizations, like government agencies, sharing information, etc., as well as working with other sections within the police department.

He also said all incidents are fully investigated, although not all investigations result in charges.

There are a number of things seniors themselves can do to help. Reporting crimes was the top item on Majlik's list. Fear and embarrassment can make these people reluctant, so her office tries to make them comfortable.

Another thing seniors can do is save documentation. She said this is especially

important in fraud cases. They should also record serial numbers on their possessions.

When dealing with contractors and others offering to do work for them, they should get second quotes, and seek references on the companies, and talk about them to family and neighbours.

As well, she said they should stay active, reach out to the resources available to them and know their rights.

There were a couple of suggestions from the audience, such as extending "walk' signals at intersections an extra couple of seconds to give people having difficulty a little more time to get across.

Another man, who said he was from Toronto, stated isolation is a main cause of the problems, and he said addressing that requires priority. As well, police reported crime rates against seniors are down, but he indicated that's not what one gets from the media.

Chief Armand La Barge observed that incidents of crime against seniors is down, but more of them are being reported, so that might help create a perception. He added one crime is too many.