At the April 19th meeting of the New England Club, the deputy sheriff reported on the "Seniors vs. Crime" program here in St. Lucie County. What follows is a copy of an article in the Fort Pierce Hometown News (April 15, 2005) on this program. If you have experienced a problem with a contractor or if you have concern about one you are conidering call the number given. (772) 871-5350. You can leave a message if they are not open.
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"Seniors in St. Lucie County who become victims of scam artists now have a place of recourse. The Seniors vs. Crime program officially opened its St. Lucie County storefront on Thursday, April 7 at the St. Lucie County Courthouse Annex in St. Lucie West.
Seniors vs. Crime was started in 1989 when the Florida Legislature ordered a task force formed to investigate crimes against the elderly. From that task force came the Seniors vs. Crime program, which involves senior citizens helping senior citizens. The program helps seniors who have been scammed or defrauded, whether it be by high-pressure sales tactics for unwanted items or contractors taking money without doing work. Don Ravenna, executive director of Seniors vs. Crime, said that in 2004, across the state, the program reviewed 1,595 cases and had a clearance rate of 78.4 percent. The Port St. Lucie location, which is the 24th one in the state, has been open two weeks and has already reviewed 18 cases. One woman who called the office said she had lost $93,000. Local law enforcement agencies support the new center.
'Since the hurricanes, we've all become acutely aware of how people prey on senior citizens,' said Sheriff Ken Mascara. Port St. Lucie Police Chief John Skinner said gone are the days where criminals who preyed on seniors were more apparent. 'Back in the day it used to be someone pulling a gun on a senior and getting $20,' Chief Skinner said. 'Now they pull on the heart strings and get $5,000.'
The storefront, which is housed in the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office at the courthouse annex and consists of a couple of desks, one phone and an answering machine. All of the supplies were donated and operating expenses come from settlements made with offending companies. 'When a senior files a complaint,' Mr. Ravenna said. 'They know what the person is going through.' The volunteers investigate the claim and forward the case to the appropriate agency, such as law enforcement if it is a criminal case. Cliff Hughes is a volunteer with Seniors vs. Crime, who also volunteers with the Port St. Lucie Police Department. He decided to get involved with the program to help his fellow citizens. 'I enjoy helping people,' Mr. Hughes said. 'I feel it's a great thing to do. It's a wonderful program and it will do lots of good for people.'
Seniors vs. Crime storefront is located in the St. Lucie County Courthouse Annex in St. Lucie West at 250 N.W. Country Club Drive, Port St. Lucie. It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10a.m. to 2p.m. "
Visit www.seniorsvscrime.com or call (772) 871-5350
