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Program to help keep seniors safe
By LINDA M. LINONIS
HUBBARD
Hubbard Township Patrolman Dominick A. Guarino has the best interests of senior citizens at heart.
He’s been assigned by Chief Todd D. Coonce to implement the Senior Citizens Assistance Program geared to help older residents stay safe in their homes.
Here’s how the program works: Senior citizens or their family members are asked to call Guarino at Hubbard Township Police Department, 330-534-9797, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. He will set up a time to stop by a senior’s home. Seniors will be placed on a list for Guarino to call or visit weekly or biweekly.
“We have a large number of seniors in the township who live alone. This is an added service,” Guarino said. “We have the time on day-turn to do this kind of community policing.”
Guarino said this service revolves around caring for people in the community.
“It’s about giving people a feeling of security,” he said.
During his visit to a senior’s home, Guarino said he will perform a safety check around the residence.
This will include assessing the visibility of the house number, making sure shrubbery is trimmed and outside lighting is in working order.
But it doesn’t end there, Guarino said. He also will ask each senior to maintain a list of emergency contacts by the phone along with a list of medications they take.
“This helps in an emergency if they can’t answer questions,” Guarino said.
Guarino said the home visits give him a chance to meet seniors in the community and become more aware of their problems, concerns and needs.
“If they need some kind of help like Meals on Wheels, I’ll help get them in the right direction,” he said.
Guarino said he also will talk to seniors about the telephone scams making the rounds. In one instance, the caller will tell the senior citizen that he or she has won a sweepstakes of $1 million, but they have to pay taxes on it before they get the money.
The caller asks the senior to wire the money to an account, and of course, the money is simply gone.
Another scam is a caller claiming to be a soldier overseas who wants to ship home a package with valuables in it and claims there is a tax he can’t pay.
“People fall for that because they want to help,” Guarino said.
Coonce said the department welcomes input from the community on the program. He noted this program is one way that the department can thank longtime residents who are taxpayers.
Crime and the fear of crime create problems for everyone. Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility, not just a job for law enforcement. Seniors can learn how to protect themselves from crime by following common-sense suggestions. Visit www.hubbardtwppd.org.
SAFETY TIPS
AT HOME
Never open your door automatically. Install and use a peephole.
Lock doors and windows. (Three-quarters of the burglaries involving older people involved unlocked doors and windows.) Keep garage doors locked. Install deadbolt locks on all your doors.
Vary your daily routine.
Keep an eye on your neighborhood.
Leave lights on when going out at night; use a timer to turn lights on and off when you are away for an extended period.
Notify neighbors and the police when going away on a trip. Cancel deliveries.
Be wary of unsolicited offers to make repairs to your home. Deal only with reputable businesses.
Keep an inventory with serial numbers and photographs of appliances, antiques and furniture. Leave copies in a safe place.
Ask for proper identification from delivery people or strangers.
Never give out information over the phone indicating you are alone or that you won’t be home at a certain time.
If you arrive home and things look amiss, don’t go in. Leave quietly and call 911.
WALKING
If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle.
Avoid walking alone at night.
Avoid carrying weapons. They may be used against you.
Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings.
Have your key ready when approaching your front door.
IN the CAR
Keep car doors locked, whether you are in or out of your car. Keep your gas tank full and your engine maintained to avoid breakdowns.
If your car breaks down, pull over to the right as far as possible, raise the hood and wait inside the car for help.
Travel well-lit and busy streets. Plan your route.
Put purse or wallet on the floor, out of sight.
Lock bags in the trunk.
When returning to your car, check the front and back seat before entering.
Never pick up hitchhikers.
BANKING
Many criminals know exactly when government checks arrive each month and may pick that day to attack. Avoid this by using Direct Deposit.
Never give your money to someone who calls on you, identifying himself as a bank official. A bank will never ask you to remove your money. When someone approaches you with a get-rich-quick scheme involving your savings, it is his get-rich-quick scheme.
If you have been swindled or conned, report the crime to police.