‘Safe-Tea’ Program Provides Tips For Seniors

By Nancy K. Crevier

A dozen people in Newtown are resting easier these days. They are the senior citizens who attended the “Safe-Tea Program” at the Newtown Senior Center, Wednesday, August 3, presented by Angela DeLeon, crime prevention and community relations specialist for Peoples United Bank. Accompanying Ms DeLeon was Newtown Peoples United branch manager Carole Georges and Peoples United Broad Investigations member Terrie Cabeleira.

The audience picked up not only dozens of safety tips for in and outside of the home, but were invited to pick up some of the pastries made by Andrea’s Pastry Shop to enjoy, as well, during the hourlong talk.

The presentation focused on what Ms DeLeon called “basic, basic crime prevention,” beginning with a reminder that simply leaving a radio or the television on when out of the house discourages most burglars. Her aim during the program, said Ms DeLeon, was to “arm you with the weapon of awareness.”

Ms DeLeon went on to emphasize the importance of good lighting around the exterior of a home, including motion sensors. Entrances to homes should have adequate lighting, as well.

Select plantings around the house to deter crime, suggested Ms DeLeon. “If you have low windows, consider planting prickly shrubs under them, or putting down small rocks that would be noisy for a criminal to step on,” she told the group. Shrubs should be trimmed so as not to provide a hiding place, or cover windows.

Consider having a burglar alarm installed, and turn it on. Make sure locks are of good quality, and lock the doors. Windows can have “pins” inserted in either side to prevent opening up enough for anyone to squeeze in. If outside work is being done on a home, make sure ladders are put away when not being used.

Electrical timers should be used when a home is vacant for any period of time, and be sure to have the newspaper and mail delivery stopped. Lawns should be mowed, and snow should be shoveled when away on vacations.

“Ask the local police to do a drive-by while you are gone, or even a walk around of your property,” said Ms DeLeon, “and if they don’t have the staff to do so, ask a neighbor.”

Keep a list and photograph of all valuables, and keep precious items in a safe deposit box, or a secret hiding place that only a close relative knows about. Keep valuable items and purses out of sight from windows, she said.

For those who live alone, Ms DeLeon urged them to make sure that the telephone message machine is set up to say “We are not at home… not I am not at home…”

Stay safe when out in public, she said. Lock car doors when driving, park in well-lit areas, and do not leave valuables on the passenger seat or visible. If traveling by bus, make sure the bus stop is well lit, sit near the driver, and do not keep purses wrapped around hand, about the neck, or over the shoulder. “If a bad guy grabs it, you will get pulled down and hurt. Keep the whole thing tucked under your arm. If it is snatched, the purse is gone, but you are not harmed, and that is what is important,” Ms DeLeon said. Keys should be carried on a lanyard or in pocket, not in the purse. For men, she recommended carrying the wallet in the front breast pocket, rather than a rear pocket, when out in public.

Walking safely means choosing areas that are not isolated, staying close to the street, and knowing the area.

Elevators can cause concern. Stand near the control panel. Press the next stop and get off if anyone in the elevator acts suspiciously.

For those concerned with safety in the neighborhood, it is simple to set up a Neighborhood Watch program, Ms DeLeon said, which is an organized group of citizens and police. Block captains and residents of the neighborhood agree to report suspicious activities to a police liaison. A phone or e-mail tree alerts neighbors to unusual activities. “It’s a simple way to deter crime,” said Ms DeLeon.

Be aware of unusual people, cars, or activities in the neighborhood, she said, cautioning in particular against con artists that go door to door. Especially in the summer, be alert to a group of organized criminals from South Carolina, known as The Travelers, she said. The Travelers go north for the summer, targeting the elderly with elaborate scams that cause loss of property and money.

“Do not open your door to people you don’t know or don’t expect,” she warned. Equally important, is to be aware of the many phone scams that prey upon the elderly. A popular one right now, she said, is the Grandparent Scam, in which a “grandchild” calls to say that he or she is in trouble. The call is scratchy enough to disguise the voice. The grandparent is begged not to tell mom or dad, but to send cash to help the grandchild. This type of scam was set up months in advance, said Ms DeLeon, when the grandparent receives a benign survey call asking if the person has grandchildren in college. “We love to talk about our grandchildren, right? Don’t give out any information. The longer you stay on the phone with someone you don’t know, the easier it is for them to get in your pockets. Con artists,” she reminded the group, “are trained in the art of persuasion. Hang up the phone.”

“Staying safe is not difficult when practical tips are followed,” Ms DeLeon said. In every situation, she said, “Trust your gut instincts.”