Groups team up to fight crimes against elderly, disabled

Columbus police, advocates for people with disabilities and Central Ohio Crime Stoppers teamed up yesterday to announce an initiative to fight crime against two vulnerable groups.

Detective Gerald Milner said at a news conference that he investigated too many crimes against the elderly and people with disabilities when he worked in the Police Division’s forgery and fraud unit.

“It still bothers me,” he said. “Crimes against the elderly and handicapped are very special to me.”
Criminals take aim at those groups at substantially higher rates than the rest of the population, according to U.S. Department of Justice statistics. Local statistics were not available.

Age and physical challenges can cause people to be perceived as easy marks, particularly when it comes to financial fraud. Fears of coming forward often keep the crimes hidden.

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Groups team up to fight crimes against elderly, disabled