Elder Abuse Awareness Seminar Connects Senior Community with Information and Resources
DCSO’s Director of Community Outreach Sterling Bishop provides resources to community members at the event.
DUKES COUNTY – Dukes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of those who participated in the Elder Abuse Awareness Seminar on Monday, May 19th, collaboratively hosted by Dukes County Sheriff’s Office and Martha’s Vineyard Bank, focused on elder abuse prevention and response through community connection, education, and access to valuable tools. The event was held in the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown, bringing together members of the public, community members, local law enforcement, and elder advocacy organizations. Presenters included Dukes County Sheriff’s Office Director of Community Outreach Sterling Bishop, as well as Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents.
Left to Right: FBI Special Agent, MV Bank Community Engagement Director Jennifer Ray, DCSO Director of Community Outreach Sterling Bishop, FBI Special Agent, and MV Bank’s Vice President Jeanne Ogden.
Director Sterling Bishop shared valuable information about the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Programs, including the TRIAD program initiatives. TRIAD is a partnership with elderly community members, the Sheriff, law enforcement agencies, and community service providers that meet to discuss and address public safety concerns of senior citizens, and includes the We Have Your Number Program and Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver is a program designed to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering. DCSO Project Lifesaver certified emergency team members complete training using the radio technology provided in order to conduct search and rescue missions when needed. Also highlighted was the We Have Your Number program. Dukes County Sheriff’s Office installs a reflective, easy-to-see building number sign at the residence of participants to increase visibility for first responders in case of emergency. Director Bishop emphasized the importance of proactive safety measures to protect our community’s growing senior population.
Elder Abuse Awareness Seminar panel included FBI Special Agents and DCSO Director of Community Outreach Sterling Bishop
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents provided a compelling presentation on Scams Targeting Seniors, detailing common fraud tactics such as romance scams, tech support fraud, and government impersonation scams. Attendees learned how to recognize the warning signs of these scams and received guidance on how to respond and report incidents effectively. Several safety tips included creating a shared verbal family password or phrase that only you and your loved ones know, and to resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action. Participants were reminded to never open an email attachment from someone you don't know, and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you. Agents shared that if you believe you or someone you know may have been a victim of elder fraud, file a complaint at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Whenever possible, victims should keep original documentation, emails, faxes, and logs of communications. More information may be found online at www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud
Sheriff Robert Ogden discusses Elder Fraud prevention with FBI Special Agent presenters
“Protecting our growing senior community is a top priority”, says Sheriff Robert Ogden. “Fraud and abuse prevention is not something we can do alone- it takes a united, proactive effort. This seminar was an opportunity to reach our community members with the knowledge and resources they need to recognize and report scams and abuse. We are grateful to Martha’s Vineyard Bank and the FBI for their collaboration and expertise, and to all of our community partners for standing with us to ensure our seniors are informed, protected, and never left to face these threats alone.”
Thank you to seminar attendees, including community members, law enforcement, community partners and more.