TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Volunteers Needed To Help Curb Crime

ADVERTISEMENT

By PAUL CATALA pcatala@mediageneral.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

Through volunteer efforts around Florida and Sun City Center, crooks and con artists have been foiled and victims of area frauds and scams have gotten back anywhere from $500 to $500,000.

With a population of more than 16,500 part- and full-time residents in Sun City Center, almost all of them more than 55 years old, the victimization of senior citizens is not uncommon.

To help curb scam crimes against seniors in Sun City Center and around the Tampa Bay area and Florida, it takes volunteer peers willing to make a stand for their fellow citizens.

Called "Seniors vs. Crimes," the statewide program provides educational programs, investigates complaints, seeks restitution and provides investigating agencies with volunteers. The goal is to reduce the victimization of senior citizens who are targeted for crimes based on their ages.

Locally, some recent attempted scams have included contractor, investment and "affinity" frauds - perpetuated by someone acting as a "best friend" to the victim.

In the Hillsborough County Sherriff's Office Seniors vs. Crime office, 137 S. Pebble Beach Blvd., Suite 204, program director Norman Meyers said there is an immediate need for more volunteers.

Currently, the program has between four and six volunteers taking cases, but there are two more volunteer openings available. The office is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays and volunteers are expected to put in at least four hours, one day a week, if not more, at the office.

Meyer, a retired securities law professor, said the program needs people who are willing to go through a training program and have a knack for being good listeners without getting too emotional. He said it's easy to get caught up in the turmoil of victimization.

"The work is very interesting," said Meyer. "We catch the bad guys and work closely with law enforcement. You feel great when you help someone. You're doing a big service to the community here."

From March to December 2008, the Sun City Center office received 152 victim complaints from around the area. Meyer said civil crimes are locally investigated immediately, while criminal crimes are investigated with law enforcement personnel and sent for prosecution.

Seniors vs. Crime is not funded by taxpayers and all operational costs are paid for from settlements reached with companies who have been involved in defrauding the elderly.

Pat Hanna, director of Seniors vs. Crime Region 2, said there are seven offices, covering from Hernando County north to Collier County south and Polk County east. From March 2008 to December 2008, Hillsborough County volunteers put in 1,510 hours, handling 146 cases and recovering more than $135,300 for victims.

Seniors vs. Crime has worked so well, the program has grown from 28 offices statewide four years ago to 67 this year.

"It's (the program) getting more attention and we're getting more volunteers in," said Meyer.

To volunteer, applicants must be 50 years old or older; have no criminal history; have a desire to help others; and agree to hold project information confidential. For those working special projects, specialized instruction from either project staff or an investigating agency representative is given.

Donald Davidson, a retired New York State police officer, began working with Seniors vs. Crime five years ago as a certified mediator. He said he had gotten satisfaction in helping others by volunteering.

"I feel like I'm doing a service for the community and the seniors," said Davidson, who moved to the area with his wife, Sandra, five years ago from White Plains, N.Y. "I've gotten some very satisfactory results for clients."

For information or to volunteer, call (813) 634-8666 or visit seniorsvscrime.com.

Reporter Paul Catala can be reached at (813) 865-1554 or pcatala@mediageneral.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT