SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON THE EXPLOITATION OF OUR SENIORS

Much remains to be learned about the prevalence of crimes against Canadian seniors. If you feel that a crime is being committed towards any elderly person, CALL or SUBMIT a TIP anonymously

WELCOME TO OUR NEWLY LAUNCHED ELDER ABUSE PROGRAM

Welcome to Niagara Crime Stoppers Elder Abuse Program.
Together we can help protect our seniors from abuse and help provide the kind of security they deserve.

The Elderly Should NEVER be made to feel Vulnerable

While much has been written about seniors’ “exaggerated” level of fear, a better understanding is required as to why the elderly tend to be more fearful than other age groups. Is this higher fear level due to feelings of physical vulnerability or social isolation? Understanding the sources of this fear can contribute to the development of appropriate interventions as fear itself can isolate seniors, produce mental health issues, and make seniors more vulnerable to financial exploitation.

Be an educated consumer. Fraud is the Number 1 crime against seniors. If you have been defrauded, you may not necessarily be aware that you are a victim. The con artist will take your money and give you little or nothing in return. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Call 1-800-222-TIPS

Click to call and make an ANONYMOUS report due to illegal dumping in the Niagara Region.

Areas of Concern

• Financial crimes by strangers

• Crime and abuse by relatives and caregivers

• Crime and abuse in institutional settings

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PROTECTING OUR SENIORS

Exploitation of the elderly has always existed and only in the past few decades has it been recognized as an epidemic as more tragic stories surface into the spotlight.

The three principal areas of concern for seniors, identified in this review, are:

• Financial crimes by strangers. A variety of fraudulent schemes fall in this category, including Ponzi schemes (investment), false promises of prizes, aggressive telemarketing, schemes involving health products, and fraudulent home repairs.

• Crime and abuse by relatives and caregivers. This includes the full range of crime and abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as financial exploitation and neglect. There is also the undue exercise of control, such as isolating the senior from others or interfering with his or her participation in religious services. This report covered the signs of each type of abuse.

• Crime and abuse in institutional settings. Here again, there is the full range of abuse and, in particular, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as systemic abuse.

Much remains to be learned about the prevalence of crimes against Canadian seniors. If you feel that a crime is being committed towards any elderly person, CALL or SUBMIT a TIP anonymously

WHEN TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS?

If you witness a crime or suspect criminal activity in your community, don’t hesitate to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Maybe you overheard someone bragging about having committed a crime, or you know someone who is driving a stolen car or hiding from the police. Perhaps you see something that just doesn’t look right, like a strange car or a person acting sneaky. You might even see someone carrying a gun or knife or keeping a weapon in their locker.

It’s essential to report any suspicious activity, even if you’re not sure whether it’s a crime or not. Crime Stoppers will pass the tip on to our law enforcement partners, and they can decide if it’s worth investigating. Your information could be a vital clue to solving a major crime or preventing a dangerous situation from escalating.

Remember, Crime Stoppers guarantees anonymity, so you can feel safe and secure when making a report. Don’t hesitate to call if you witness any suspicious activity, and help us keep our community safe.

ANONYMITY GUARANTEED

CONTACTING CRIME STOPPERS – 24/7

HOW CRIME STOPPERS WORKS

CONTACTING CRIME STOPPERS – 24/7

Step 1

Call our direct line at 1 800 222 TIPS (8477). You will be assigned a special code number (PIN) which you will identify yourself with in all future dealings with Crime Stoppers. Your call will not be traced nor recorded. CRIME STOPPERS DOES NOT SUBSCRIBE TO CALL DISPLAY. You cannot be called to testify in court as no one will know who you are – not even Crime Stoppers.

Step 2

Go to the web at www.crimestoppersniagara.com and follow the link from the Submit A tip box. A form will come up on the screen. Fill in the information you know. Do not include your name or any information that could identify yourself. You may want to add more information later or we may have additional questions that we like to ask you via the web. To follow-up on this tip anonymously later, you can log into Tip Follow Up, and using a password that you select on the form or one will be assigned to you automatically when you submit this tip. Remember this password as this is the only you can communicate back. When you submit the tip, the link is broken and can’t be traced.

Step 3

Cash Reward – Unlike other reward programs which require “arrest and conviction” before paying for information, Crime Stoppers pays once the information leads to an arrest of the suspect(s) or a positive outcome. Your cash reward will be passed on to you anonymously after you provide the special code assigned to you.

Step 4

Who runs Crime Stoppers? Crime Stoppers is NOT a police program. Crime Stoppers is run by a citizen volunteer Board of Directors Board comprised of a group of concerned citizens. The Board administers the fund for reward payments and is responsible for fundraising efforts. Money raised by the Board comes from community events and sponsorship by local citizens and businesses.

HOW THE TIPSTER PAYOUT SYSTEM WORKS

Our tipster payout system meets the criteria established by the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers and Crime Stoppers International. A civilian coordinator takes the tipster’s anonymous call or web tip and documents the details of the call, giving the caller only a confidential code number. Callers are instructed to call the Crime Stoppers tip line back with their code number the day after the monthly board meeting when the reward amount is determined. As well, the caller is then instructed as to how, when and where to pick up their cash reward; always at a confidential drop point.