Hempstead Town Hosts Series of Senior Citizens' Crime Prevention Seminars, Free Brochure AvailableSenior citizens have been the main target of a recent spate of “distraction” burglaries and robberies in local communities. To prepare and educate our golden aged residents about protecting themselves from dangerous criminal activity, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and the town’s Department of Public Safety kicked off a series of Senior Citizens’ Crime Prevention Seminars that began on January 6th at the East Meadow Senior Center.
Murray, along with members of the Hempstead Town Board, announced a schedule of dates and times for Hempstead Town’s Senior Citizens’ Crime Prevention Seminars. All seminars are free of charge, and open to all senior residents living in the Town of Hempstead.
“I urge all senior citizens to take advantage of this free educational safety seminar,” Murray said. “Simple prevention measures that will be discussed during the seminars can protect our residents and keep them out of harm’s way.”
“Distraction burglaries” typically involve multiple criminals targeting seniors at their homes. Usually, one person diverts the senior citizen’s attention at the front door with a bogus service or sales pitch, while another breaks into the home and steals money and/or valuable items. These valuable seminars educate seniors about what to watch for, what to avoid and how to protect themselves from these criminals.
A free senior citizen crime prevention brochure is also available for residents. It can be obtained by calling the Hempstead Town Department of Public Safety at (516) 538-1900. The brochure will also be distributed at the seminars.
In the case of inclement weather, check with individual senior centers on event dates by calling the phone numbers listed. The seminar schedule is as follows:
Senior Citizen Crime Prevention Schedule
Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, (516) 546-7110 - Monday, February 6: 11 a.m.
Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Avenue, Bellmore, (516) 221-9696 - Tuesday, February 28: 11 a.m.
Cedarhurst Senior Center, Village Hall, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, (516) 295-1177 - Monday, February 6: 2 p.m.
Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Road, Elmont, (516) 354-4777 - Monday, February 13: 11 a.m.
Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Place, Franklin Square , (516) 328-3010 - Monday, February 13: 1 p.m.
Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Road, Valley Stream, (516) 872-8810 - Tuesday, February 21: 11 a.m.
Hempstead Senior Center, 260 Clinton Street, Hempstead, (516) 489-8500 - Friday, February 10: 1 p.m.
Levittown Senior Center, 555 North Newbridge Road, Levittown, (516) 433-5454 - Tuesday, February 7: 1 p.m.
Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick, (516) 868-4777 - Tuesday, February 14: 1 p.m.
Oceanside Senior Center, 2900 Rockaway Avenue, Oceanside, (516) 766-8888 - Monday, January 23: 11 a.m.
Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Turnpike, Roosevelt, (516) 867-1612 - Friday, February 3, 11 a.m.
Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Drive, Westbury, (516) 333-5440 - Tuesday, February 7: 11 a.m.
Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Avenue, Uniondale, (516) 292-1313 - Friday, February 3: 1 p.m
Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Avenue, Uniondale, (516) 538-5050 - Friday, February 10: 11 a.m.
Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Road, Wantagh, (516) 785-8505 - Friday, February 17: 11 a.m.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Residential Distraction Burglaries
Definition:
Distraction burglary is a crime in which elderly persons are often the targets. The perpetrator seeks to draw a resident out of the house on a pretext. While the resident is occupied, an accomplice enters the home and picks up valuables such as money and jewelry. Thieves may also pick up papers with the intent of committing identity theft. In a variation, the accomplice enters the dwelling by a second door while the resident is occupied at the other door.
The following attachments and link below provide some helpful tips and suggestions to avoid you or a loved one from becoming victims of this crime trend. Feel free to share this information to all who may benefit from it.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/tag/distraction-burglary/
Distraction burglary is a crime in which elderly persons are often the targets. The perpetrator seeks to draw a resident out of the house on a pretext. While the resident is occupied, an accomplice enters the home and picks up valuables such as money and jewelry. Thieves may also pick up papers with the intent of committing identity theft. In a variation, the accomplice enters the dwelling by a second door while the resident is occupied at the other door.
The following attachments and link below provide some helpful tips and suggestions to avoid you or a loved one from becoming victims of this crime trend. Feel free to share this information to all who may benefit from it.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/tag/distraction-burglary/
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Be Prepared Not Scared
Be Prepared, Not Scared – Murray, Hudes Help Senior Citizens Learn How to Safeguard Their Homes from “Distraction Burglary”Residential burglaries are invasions of privacy and are threats to the safety and quality of life enjoyed by Hempstead Town residents. Many burglars prey on our most vulnerable citizens, tending to target the senior citizens in our community. Indeed, there have been nine “distraction burglaries” and attemptedrobberies in our area since December 9th, whereby criminals used various methods of deception to distract homeowners to gain access to valuables inside.
In an effort to increase awareness and knowledge for concerned senior citizens, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Gary Hudes and the Department of Public Safety hosted a burglary prevention safety seminar at the East Meadow Senior Center on Friday.
“Being cautious and alert can go a long way in safeguarding your home and your loved ones from criminals,” Murray said. “This seminar will be a valuable educational tool for our seniors so they can enjoy their golden years without fearing for their safety. Be prepared, not scared.”
The spate of “distraction burglaries” and robbery attempts are a disturbing trend with senior citizens as the main targets. The following are some tips for senior citizens to consider in an effort to avoid becoming victims:
Install and use a peephole
Never open the door to strangers and never let them know you’re alone.
Ask for identification. If someone rings your doorbell claiming to provide a service and/or represent a company, organization or group, ask them to present identification. Get their names.
Beware of phone scams: Don’t give personal or financial information over the phone. Hang up on nuisance callers and report them.
Protect yourself from common types of consumer crimes, including medical and insurance fraud, sweepstakes scams, business schemes and unlicensed home repairs.
If someone breaks into your home, do not confront the burglar. Lock the room you’re in and if you can get to a phone, quietly call law enforcement officials.
“If you don’t know someone at your door, don’t let them in,” Hudes said. “If you feel threatened or have been victimized by one of these crimes, immediately contact the authorities.”
“Awareness and education are keys to preventing unwelcome intruders from entering the home,” Murray said. “I encourage senior citizens, and all residents, to follow these important preventative tips. Remember, the best way to fight crime is to prevent it in the first place.”
In an effort to increase awareness and knowledge for concerned senior citizens, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Gary Hudes and the Department of Public Safety hosted a burglary prevention safety seminar at the East Meadow Senior Center on Friday.
“Being cautious and alert can go a long way in safeguarding your home and your loved ones from criminals,” Murray said. “This seminar will be a valuable educational tool for our seniors so they can enjoy their golden years without fearing for their safety. Be prepared, not scared.”
The spate of “distraction burglaries” and robbery attempts are a disturbing trend with senior citizens as the main targets. The following are some tips for senior citizens to consider in an effort to avoid becoming victims:
Install and use a peephole
Never open the door to strangers and never let them know you’re alone.
Ask for identification. If someone rings your doorbell claiming to provide a service and/or represent a company, organization or group, ask them to present identification. Get their names.
Beware of phone scams: Don’t give personal or financial information over the phone. Hang up on nuisance callers and report them.
Protect yourself from common types of consumer crimes, including medical and insurance fraud, sweepstakes scams, business schemes and unlicensed home repairs.
If someone breaks into your home, do not confront the burglar. Lock the room you’re in and if you can get to a phone, quietly call law enforcement officials.
“If you don’t know someone at your door, don’t let them in,” Hudes said. “If you feel threatened or have been victimized by one of these crimes, immediately contact the authorities.”
“Awareness and education are keys to preventing unwelcome intruders from entering the home,” Murray said. “I encourage senior citizens, and all residents, to follow these important preventative tips. Remember, the best way to fight crime is to prevent it in the first place.”
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