STETSONFDLE TRAIN THE TRAINER SEMINAR FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

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STETSON/FDLE TRAIN THE TRAINER SEMINAR FOR FIRST
RESPONDERS

• - Understanding Floridas Changing Population
  and Its Impact on Criminal Justice

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The impact of Floridas changing demographics

• Floridas overall population continues to grow
  tremendously
• 1900 less than 1 million
• 1930 less than 2 million
• 1950 less than 3 million
• 2000 over 16 million, a growth of over 433 in
  50 years!
• Projected to reach between 18 and 22 million by
  2010.
• Current growth is about 800 people per day!

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The three most important developments in changing
Florida during the 20th Century

• Cape Canaveral
• Air conditioning
• - Walt Disney

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So what about the aging population?

• Elderly population is growing dramatically
  throughout the world
• In the United States, this is particularly true
  in the classic SunBelt Florida, Texas, and
  Arizona
• An important issue theres a growing
  concentration of wealth among the elderly
  population.

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So lets talk about Floridas aging population

• - In 1970, 15 of Floridas population was over
  the age of 65 that has grown to nearly 20
  currently, and is projected to increase to 26 by
  2025.
• - In 1970, the largest age cohort (slightly less
  than 26) was people between birth and age 14,
  the last of the baby boomers by 2010, the
  largest will be between ages 45 and 64 (about
  28), with an additional 18 over 65.

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According to the 2000 census, the highest
percentage of retirees currently lives in
Charlotte County. Others with highest
percentages of folks over 65 are

• Palm Beach
• Martin
• Collier
• Sarasota
• Highlands
• Hernando

• Citrus
• Marion
• Sumter
• Lake
• Indian River
• Flagler

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SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN TERMS OF CRIMES AGAINST
THE ELDERLY?
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TRADITIONAL CRIMES

• Sexual assault
• Robbery/Strong-arm robbery
• Burglary

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• BUT WHAT ABOUT OTHER KIND OF CRIMES?

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KEY ISSUES ABOUT ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND
EXPLOITATION

• Elder abuse cuts across all classes of society
• Elder abuse is rarely reported and less likely to
  be reported than child abuse in one report.,
  only 1 in 5 cases were reported
• Elder abuse can take many forms physical,
  emotional, sexual and/or financial
• Elder abuse affects over one million Americans
• Elder abuse is re-occurring rather than a
  one-time affair

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TELEMARKETING

• Prizes/sweepstakes
• Bogus credit card offers
• Advance fee loans
• Work at home scams
• Lotteries

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INTERNET FRAUD

• On-line auctions
• Nigerian money offers
• Fake check scams
• Prizes/sweepstakes
• Bogus charities

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• IDENTIFICATION THEFT
• HEALTH CARE FRAUD
• Misrepresentation of cost/quality of service
• Access to drugs
• CONSUMER FRAUD
• Home repair
• Purchase of items
• Insurance Fraud

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• HOME/FACILITY CARE
• Exploitation/theft
• Misuse of ATM/checks
• Sexual assault
• FAMILY ABUSE AND NEGLECT
• Family member
• Caregiver
• Professional Advisor
• Spiritual Advisor

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• SO WHAT DOES THE FIRST RESPONDING OFFICER NEED
• TO MORE EFFECTIVELY DO HIS/HER JOB?

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• First Understand the nature of the problem in
  your community
• What are the common crimes against the elderly
  occurring in your community?
• Are there unique themes and modus operandi which
  distinguish them from other crimes in your
  community?
• Where do most of your victims and the rest of
  your elderly population live?
• Does your internal crime reporting structure
  contribute to your awareness of crime trends and
  occurrences?

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Second Determine the resources available to you
and your elder community

• What training have you received to better allow
  you to deal with this population? How can you
  become better at this responsibility?
• What preparation have your agency first
  responders, detectives, and victim advocates had
  to prepare them for the tasks of dealing with
  crimes against the elderly?
• To what community agencies can you refer elders
  before and after crime occurs? How can we best
  access them?

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Third Understand the dynamics of elder
victimization and the frequent underreporting of
crimes against the elderly.

• Many seniors are afraid to report
• Many seniors experience feelings of shame
• Many elders are afraid to be alone after being a
  victim their faith is frequently shattered
• Many elders are concerned that acknowledgement of
  their victimization will lead to a loss of
  independence
• Some elders have been threatened by the
  perpetrator with physical or psychological
  retribution
• Many elder victims are stereotyped by law
  enforcement and the criminal justice community as
  forgetful, senile, fragile or poor witnesses

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Fourth Understand that not all elder issues are
civil in nature elder abuse and financial
exploitation are crimes and deserving of a
professional law enforcement response

• Have your agency personnel been trained in the
  appropriate criminal statutes protecting elders
  in this State?
• Do they understand how to properly interview
  elder victims and gain assistance if needed?
• Is your local criminal justice system elder
  victim/user friendly?
• Are your local prosecutors prepared to deal with
  these crimes? Do law enforcement, prosecutors,
  and social services work as a team to better meet
  the needs of your communitys elders?