Friday, October 10, 2008

Police Chief Chat - Scams / Crimes against the Elderly / Fatality Accident

Good morning! I hope you had a great week. The Fall season brings us cooler weather, shorter days and busy schedules. This past week Lt. Jim Macormic and S/Sgt. Rick Williams travelled to Springfield, Missouri to attend the annual Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (MIRMA) Seminar entitled “Bricks and Mortar: Laying the Foundation for Litigation Defense”. The sessions were hosted by retired Assistant Police Chief Steve Ijames. Mr. Ijames is a 29 year veteran of the Springfield Police Department and has obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Mr. Ijames is considered an expert in less lethal force devices such as impact projectiles, chemical munitions, noise flash diversionary devices and Taser) devices. Information was provided on management, policy writing, training and practices governing these tools. The Rolla Police Department currently utilizes several less lethal devices designed to help prevent serious or fatal injuries to suspects that we try to apprehend in criminal activity. The class talked about the taser, stating that it is one of best tools to come out in a long time for Law Enforcement. They showed several videos where four and five officers could not control a suspect because of his level of intoxication or drugged condition, but with the taser the officers could subdue the suspect.

On Wednesday, October 8, 2008, Detective Robert Jones of the Division of Criminal Investigations received information from the Division of Child Services concerning an ad that was placed in the Rollanet Classified section of person(s) unknown offering a baby boy to a good home. Det. Jones reviewed the ad then opened an investigation that involved the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Springfield Police Department and the Division of Child Services. Investigation revealed that the ad was a hoax that had originated in south Africa. We receive several complaints each week on a wide variety of internet based scams or false amber alerts that people in the community have received. Several of these scams have been investigated and the perpetrator’s identified but there are still many others still active. Typically if an offer seems to good to be true, it is a scam. Be wary of people offering services or goods for little or nothing, or organizations requesting personal information so they can forward large amounts of cash. These types of scams are the most frequent and in spite of the obvious signs that this is a hoax, people still fall prey to them. If you are concerned of an offer or service that appears suspect it is better to be safe than sorry and to go with a business or service you are familiar with.

Did you know that most crimes committed against the elderly are "transient crimes," meaning that many involve home repairs or diversions where a person requests to come into the home to use the bathroom or ask for a glass of water? Another such crime committed against the elderly is to "check out" an unreported problem. Your elderly parents need your help to protect themselves. They forget because of their age all the important safety tips they taught you as a child. Now it is your turn to help your elderly parents who are particularly vulnerable to be a victim of transient crimes.
Your parents may be eager to socialize with strangers because they do not get out and socialize like they once did, remind them not to speak to strangers. I would also suggest to tell them not to talk to by anything from someone who knocks on their door or sells anything over the phone. Call or stop in to see your parents more often to give them company. If this is not possible ask a neighbor to stop in once a day just to check on your parents. Because your parents are eager to please and be helpful, they is particularly prone to allowing anyone into the house to check out an undisclosed problem, use the telephone or get a glass of water. Tell your parents that unless they have called someone for a repair, not to open the door. Explain that since they are elderly, once inside the home, a person can easily intimidate and influence them. Pride is another issue with elderly parents. Because they know they can't make needed repairs and fears losing independence, they may think that family members will believe that they are unable to maintain their home. This makes them prone to the transient scam of driveway, roof and other home repairs. Ask neighbors to contact the police immediately if they see something like this happening. Warn your parents not to sign anything. When confronted by someone who wants them to sign a bogus check or contract, tell your parent to say, "I have to ask my son first." If the person trying to get the check signed or contract is in a hurry, point out to your parents that this would be a perfect sign that this is a scam.

If you live out of town, ask a trusted neighbor to check on your parents once a day and to keep watch of who stops at the house. Offer to pay this neighbor and give them your home, work and cell phone number. This will connect you with your elderly parents in the event of a scam emergency.

Many criminals know exactly when government checks arrive each month, and may pick that day to attack. Avoid this by using Direct Deposit, which sends your money directly from the government to the bank of your choice. And, at many banks, free checking accounts are available to senior citizens. Your bank has all the information. Never withdraw money from your bank accounts for anyone except YOURSELF. Be wary of con artists and get-rich schemes that probably are too-good-to-be- true. You should store valuables in a Safe Deposit Box. 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. If you have been swindled or conned, report the crime to the Rolla Police Department or your local police.

From our Communications Division I would like to welcome Jerrie Thomen who has accepted a position as telecommunicator. Ms. Thomen comes to us from lengthy career in emergency service dispatch in the St. Louis County area. Jerri was employed as a dispatcher with the South County Fire Alarm Company in St. Louis, Missouri where her duties included handling emergency calls and dispatching appropriate emergency responders for 11 different fire districts in St. Louis, County. Jerrie enrolled in the St. Louis County Police Academy where she attended classes to become a certified police officer and served as a reserve officer with the Kirkwood, Missouri Police Department. Jerrie’s hobbies include attending dog shows where she shows her American Bouvier breed dogs. Welcome aboard Jerri!

A sad event occurred last night, I received a call at about 1:00 am that there was a fatality accident on Forum drive by the Rolla Public School bus barn. The vehicle drove off the right side of the road through the grass and over a ditch, one occupant was dead at the scene and the other was flown to a hospital in Columbia in critical condition. This is always a sad occurrence that effects so many, both were Missouri S & T students, we are still investigating the accident, next of kin have been notified.

When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical

Thank you and make it a wonderful weekend.

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