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Attention to crime prevention a boon to senior citizens

By KRISTEN MOCZYNSKI
Daytona Beach News-Journal Staff Writer

Last update: 29 September 2003

Mary is content in her "corner of the world" that is decorated with her collections of porcelain dolls, teddy bears and family pictures. She knows her valuables are safe.

Mary, who asked to be identified only by her first name, lives at University Center East, a charter member of the Senior Crime Stoppers program. Mary, 55, said she knows she can trust the people around her because of the crime prevention program in place.

"There's really no crime," she said. "Everybody respects everybody's stuff. You don't have to worry about anything."

Mary is reminded daily of the program's existence by posters hanging in the hallways and a plaque at the entrance. She said she and her family would insist on finding a facility that participated in Senior Crime Stoppers if she ever had to move.

Mary is one of more than 1,000 elder home residents who has lived under the protection of Senior Crime Stoppers during the program's first year here. Organizers say crime is down 94 percent in the six participating West Volusia nursing homes, assisted living facilities and retirement communities.

Home administrators say the real success isn't that more criminals are getting caught -- it's that there is less crime. They credit Senior Crime Stoppers with keeping the number of these incidents down.

Cheryl Fredsall, University Center East administrator, said employees are aware that their actions are monitored and consequences to wrongdoing go beyond termination. They know crimes may be prosecuted.

"It's zero tolerance," she said. "Family and residents are assured their belongings are safe -- that we take seriously all types of crime."

Fredsall said her center has reported three incidents of missing items to Crime Stoppers during the past year. None of the cases has been resolved, but she said crime is down 70 percent there. Fredsall said about 10 incidents took place during the previous year.

Senior Crime Stoppers works primarily through an anonymous tips line that offers rewards to callers who provide information that solves cases. It also furnishes personal lock boxes for residents' valuables.

Employees of participating homes sign an oath to honor the program and undergo additional training in crime prevention.

No similar programs exist in Volusia or Flagler counties. Senior citizens in Ormond Beach, Holly Hill and parts of Daytona Beach recently established a council to link seniors with the services needed to feel safe. However the effort -- Seniors and Law Enforcement Together -- has struggled to attract interest.

The Elder Abuse Hotline fields complaints from assisted-living facilities in Flagler and Volusia counties and the Department of Children and Families investigates the accusations. Ten complaints in 10 months were verified last year, but none of those cases were at West Volusia facilities.

Bobbie Warner, risk manager for Deltona Health Care, said the home usually has about one crime incident a year. "We weren't really having problems prior to initiating the (Senior Crime Stoppers) program," she said.

Nationally, Senior Crime Stoppers has reduced crime in participating facilities by 89 percent, the program's statistics show.

Senior Crime Stoppers is supported by a $1.5 million loan from First Community Bank to the program's national sponsor -- the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation. Through a federally bonded corporate agreement, the bank's program helps more than 1,000 residents in low- to moderate-income facilities. Other centers participating are Oakwood Gardens of DeLand, DeBary Manor and Woodland Terrace Extended Care.

Senior Crime Stoppers covers property theft, elder abuse and neglect, fraud and other crimes. It also helps protect facility employees, who are victims themselves about 30 percent of the time.

David Hunt, University Center West administrator, said the program is an excellent crime deterrent. His facility hasn't reported any incidents in at least three months.

"It's a pretty good opportunity for people to anonymously divulge information they wouldn't normally divulge to (the facility) or law enforcement," he said.

The photos and images on the www.fhca.org website are the property of Florida Health Care Association and cannot be used in any manner without FHCA permission in writing.


Home About FHCA Advancing Excellence Contact Us Emergency Preparedness Family Forum FHCA Florida Leaders Assisted Living Job Board Members Only Member Search Membership Online Store Press Center Quality Improvement Seminars/Events Sites of Interest Treasure our Elders What's New FHCA on Twitter FHCA on Facebook	Members Only (Service Corporation) Attention to crime prevention a boon to senior citizens By KRISTEN MOCZYNSKI Daytona Beach News-Journal Staff Writer Last update: 29 September 2003 Mary is content in her "corner of the world" that is decorated with her collections of porcelain dolls, teddy bears and family pictures. She knows her valuables are safe. Mary, who asked to be identified only by her first name, lives at University Center East, a charter member of the Senior Crime Stoppers program. Mary, 55, said she knows she can trust the people around her because of the crime prevention program in place. "There's really no crime," she said. "Everybody respects everybody's stuff. You don't have to worry about anything." Mary is reminded daily of the program's existence by posters hanging in the hallways and a plaque at the entrance. She said she and her family would insist on finding a facility that participated in Senior Crime Stoppers if she ever had to move. Mary is one of more than 1,000 elder home residents who has lived under the protection of Senior Crime Stoppers during the program's first year here. Organizers say crime is down 94 percent in the six participating West Volusia nursing homes, assisted living facilities and retirement communities. Home administrators say the real success isn't that more criminals are getting caught -- it's that there is less crime. They credit Senior Crime Stoppers with keeping the number of these incidents down. Cheryl Fredsall, University Center East administrator, said employees are aware that their actions are monitored and consequences to wrongdoing go beyond termination. They know crimes may be prosecuted. "It's zero tolerance," she said. "Family and residents are assured their belongings are safe -- that we take seriously all types of crime." Fredsall said her center has reported three incidents of missing items to Crime Stoppers during the past year. None of the cases has been resolved, but she said crime is down 70 percent there. Fredsall said about 10 incidents took place during the previous year. Senior Crime Stoppers works primarily through an anonymous tips line that offers rewards to callers who provide information that solves cases. It also furnishes personal lock boxes for residents' valuables. Employees of participating homes sign an oath to honor the program and undergo additional training in crime prevention. No similar programs exist in Volusia or Flagler counties. Senior citizens in Ormond Beach, Holly Hill and parts of Daytona Beach recently established a council to link seniors with the services needed to feel safe. However the effort -- Seniors and Law Enforcement Together -- has struggled to attract interest. The Elder Abuse Hotline fields complaints from assisted-living facilities in Flagler and Volusia counties and the Department of Children and Families investigates the accusations. Ten complaints in 10 months were verified last year, but none of those cases were at West Volusia facilities. Bobbie Warner, risk manager for Deltona Health Care, said the home usually has about one crime incident a year. "We weren't really having problems prior to initiating the (Senior Crime Stoppers) program," she said. Nationally, Senior Crime Stoppers has reduced crime in participating facilities by 89 percent, the program's statistics show. Senior Crime Stoppers is supported by a $1.5 million loan from First Community Bank to the program's national sponsor -- the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation. Through a federally bonded corporate agreement, the bank's program helps more than 1,000 residents in low- to moderate-income facilities. Other centers participating are Oakwood Gardens of DeLand, DeBary Manor and Woodland Terrace Extended Care. Senior Crime Stoppers covers property theft, elder abuse and neglect, fraud and other crimes. It also helps protect facility employees, who are victims themselves about 30 percent of the time. David Hunt, University Center West administrator, said the program is an excellent crime deterrent. His facility hasn't reported any incidents in at least three months. "It's a pretty good opportunity for people to anonymously divulge information they wouldn't normally divulge to (the facility) or law enforcement," he said. The photos and images on the www.fhca.org website are the property of Florida Health Care Association and cannot be used in any manner without FHCA permission in writing.