Grant allows York County task force to help fight elder abuse
By Ian Ferguson
April 25, 2012
Criminals who take advantage of York County elders had better smile for the camera.
The York County Elder Abuse Task Force has received a $5,000 grant from the Huntington Common Charitable Fund, administered by the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation, to fund a hidden camera project meant to curb elder abuse.
The funds will be used to buy video surveillance equipment and software, available to any police department in York County for the purpose of investigating suspected cases of elder abuse.
"This will be a huge help for local law enforcement," York Police officer John Lizanecz said. "Any agency around here is going to benefit from this equipment."
A group of professionals from law enforcement, social service agencies, legal services and financial institutions — The York County Elder Abuse Task Force — meets monthly at the Eliot Police Department to tackle a problem that appears to be growing in Maine.
"It is estimated that there are over 12,000 cases of elder abuse in Maine each year," Eliot Police Officer Candace Simeoni, who is chairperson of the task force, said. "Maine is the 'oldest' state in the nation. By 2030, 27 percent of our population will be over the age of 65.
"Elder abuse can come in many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, financial, neglect and even sexual abuse," Simeoni said.
SOURCE: SeaCoast Online
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