Prosecutor and Mayor Propose to Focus on Crimes Against Elderly

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2007

For More Information, contact:
Chris Gaal, Office of the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney, 349-2670
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN -- Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Gaal and Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan today called for greater attention to crimes against the elderly in our community.

The Prosecutor, in cooperation with the City of Bloomington Mayor's Office, and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, is sponsoring a free, full-day training for local law enforcement agencies on the successful investigation and prosecution of crimes against the elderly.

The training is scheduled for Friday, April 27 at City Hall and will also be open to the community.

"Bloomington has become a retirement destination known for its high quality of life and ample recreational and entertainment opportunities for seniors," Kruzan said. "Maintaining that positive reputation is an important part of our overall economic development future and requires a strong commitment to the safety of our elderly citizens."

According to a Fact Sheet issued by the National Center on Elder Abuse, between 1 and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection. It is estimated that for every one case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect reported to authorities, about five more go unreported.

"The purpose of the full day training will be to emphasize the importance of crimes against the elderly as a community priority, foster ongoing communication with local law enforcement regarding the investigation and prosecution of such crimes," Gaal said. "We also want to promote greater cooperation with community organizations, victim's advocates and other stakeholders concerned with the needs of the elderly population."

The Prosecutor's Office currently staffs an Adult Protective Services (APS) program that investigates reports of endangered or abused adults, and provides legal intervention when necessary. Gaal's office recently received a grant from the State of Indiana to add a new position to enable more field investigation of such reports.

Gaal is also proposing the creation of an Elder Crimes Task Force to be administered by the prosecutor's office and to include a felony deputy prosecutor, a representative from the Adult Protective Services program and the Prosecutor's Victim's Assistance Director. The proposed task force also would include representatives from local law enforcement agencies and from the community.

Gaal said he hopes the task force will meet with community organizations on a regular basis "to encourage a dialogue on the special public safety issues facing the elderly population and develop new strategies for addressing those needs."

The Elder Crimes Task Force proposal was welcomed by Georgia Schaich of TRIAD, an existing organization dedicated to reducing criminal victimization of older persons and enhancing the delivery of law enforcement services to these individuals.

"We look forward to participating in an Elder Crimes Task Force and hope it will breathe new life into our efforts," Schaich said.