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APD, Elderly Team-Up To Fight Crime

Updated: Thursday, September 13 2012, 03:11 PM CDT

The baby boomer generation is one of the fasting growing groups in America. One in eight people is 65 or older. Because of this police are seeing more crimes against this group, and to fight back the Austin Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office have partnered with senior citizens.

At a safety senior fair Thursday, APD conducted scenarios showing elderly people how to not get scammed.

One woman recalls a phone call she got.

“They said you just won a cruise. I said ‘I just won a cruise?’ They said you need to give me your name and telephone number. I said I’m not giving you anything,” said Geneva Townsend.

Most seniors say they know they are an easy target, but for others some stories are just too believable.

“Last year a lady came to my house and knocked on the door and she told me she was a relative,” said Bruce Gardner. He is 100 years old and said the woman wanted $60 to go to San Antonio.

“She was so convincing she was going to bring the $60 back the next morning. She never showed up,” Gardner said.

He never reported his crime, which is why APD wants to break down that thinking. They want to encourage citizens to call 911.

“When a crime occurs, the most important thing they can do is call the police and get that crime reported so we can help them,” said Senior Officer Joshua Visi.

Police say ultimately they want the elderly folks to know, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

“Make people earn your trust. When you get to that point in your life, don't give out your personal information over the phone or email,” Visi said.

Gardner says he learned his lesson. “Oh yes. I caught her red handed,” Gardner.

To see a map of crime in the Austin-area, go to http://www.weareaustin.com/news/features/fighting-back/crime_maps/austin.shtml?wap=0&.

By Christie Post.APD, Elderly Team-Up To Fight Crime