Police Chief Jerry Dyer, left, and Mayor Ashley Swearengin talk with Woody Miller, 81, as the pair joined volunteers going door-to-door Saturday to teach seniors about being safe. Diana Baldrica / The Fresno Bee
Police Chief Jerry Dyer drew gasps from Senior Citizen Village residents as he recited 2008 crime statistics against Fresno's elderly. They included nearly 2,200 property crimes, 31 strong-armed robberies, 20 armed robberies, 16 grand thefts and one murder.
"This is the bad news," Dyer said. "The good news is we're going to do something about it."
To begin, Dyer said, Fresno's seniors may arrange to have Police Department-trained volunteers inspect their homes free of charge to determine how they can be made more secure against criminals.
The improvements may be something as simple as new locks on doors and windows, Dyer said. The improvements will be funded by the Fresno Police Chief's Foundation, he said.
The Police Department also will step up its education efforts and is considering use of surveillance video cameras in places with high concentrations of seniors, Dyer said.
"All of you folks have given so much of your life to taking care of all of us," Dyer said. "... The least we can do is repay you."
Annabelle Goshtigian, 77, was among those sitting in the audience. She liked what she heard.
"I think it's terrific," said Goshtigian, who has lived at Senior Citizen Village for more than 14 years. "It's to help seniors in knowing what to do."
After the brief meeting in the community center, Swearengin, Dyer and the volunteers fanned out among Senior Citizen Village's more than 700 homes. They knocked on doors, arranged home inspections and handed out brochures.
Standing next to his front door, Woody Miller, 81, said he liked seeing the mayor and the police chief discussing such an important issue with seniors face-to-face.
"That's what they need to do," Miller said.
Ruth Cavanah, 78, said she's going to schedule a home inspection.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Cavanah said. "I've lived a long time and I'm conscious of these things. But a lot of these people aren't. Some will open their door for anybody."
© Copyright The Fresno Bee.
January 24, 2009
USA: Fresno officials make safety of senior citizens a priority
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FRESNO, California / The Fresno Bee / January 24, 2009
Mayor, police chief offer info to protect elderly from crime.
By George Hostetter / The Fresno Bee
More than 90 volunteers and several top city of Fresno officials spent a good part of Saturday educating seniors about how to protect themselves from crime and elder abuse.
"Safety makes everything else possible," Mayor Ashley Swearengin told about 100 seniors gathered in the community center at Senior Citizen Village in southeast Fresno. "If we don't have safe neighborhoods, we can't advance on our other priorities."
The meeting kicked off a city campaign to improve the safety of seniors throughout Fresno. Council Member Mike Dages, who represents southeast Fresno, also spoke.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer, left, and Mayor Ashley Swearengin talk with Woody Miller, 81, as the pair joined volunteers going door-to-door Saturday to teach seniors about being safe. Diana Baldrica / The Fresno Bee
Police Chief Jerry Dyer drew gasps from Senior Citizen Village residents as he recited 2008 crime statistics against Fresno's elderly. They included nearly 2,200 property crimes, 31 strong-armed robberies, 20 armed robberies, 16 grand thefts and one murder.
"This is the bad news," Dyer said. "The good news is we're going to do something about it."
To begin, Dyer said, Fresno's seniors may arrange to have Police Department-trained volunteers inspect their homes free of charge to determine how they can be made more secure against criminals.
The improvements may be something as simple as new locks on doors and windows, Dyer said. The improvements will be funded by the Fresno Police Chief's Foundation, he said.
The Police Department also will step up its education efforts and is considering use of surveillance video cameras in places with high concentrations of seniors, Dyer said.
"All of you folks have given so much of your life to taking care of all of us," Dyer said. "... The least we can do is repay you."
Annabelle Goshtigian, 77, was among those sitting in the audience. She liked what she heard.
"I think it's terrific," said Goshtigian, who has lived at Senior Citizen Village for more than 14 years. "It's to help seniors in knowing what to do."
After the brief meeting in the community center, Swearengin, Dyer and the volunteers fanned out among Senior Citizen Village's more than 700 homes. They knocked on doors, arranged home inspections and handed out brochures.
Standing next to his front door, Woody Miller, 81, said he liked seeing the mayor and the police chief discussing such an important issue with seniors face-to-face.
"That's what they need to do," Miller said.
Ruth Cavanah, 78, said she's going to schedule a home inspection.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Cavanah said. "I've lived a long time and I'm conscious of these things. But a lot of these people aren't. Some will open their door for anybody."
© Copyright The Fresno Bee.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer, left, and Mayor Ashley Swearengin talk with Woody Miller, 81, as the pair joined volunteers going door-to-door Saturday to teach seniors about being safe. Diana Baldrica / The Fresno Bee
Police Chief Jerry Dyer drew gasps from Senior Citizen Village residents as he recited 2008 crime statistics against Fresno's elderly. They included nearly 2,200 property crimes, 31 strong-armed robberies, 20 armed robberies, 16 grand thefts and one murder.
"This is the bad news," Dyer said. "The good news is we're going to do something about it."
To begin, Dyer said, Fresno's seniors may arrange to have Police Department-trained volunteers inspect their homes free of charge to determine how they can be made more secure against criminals.
The improvements may be something as simple as new locks on doors and windows, Dyer said. The improvements will be funded by the Fresno Police Chief's Foundation, he said.
The Police Department also will step up its education efforts and is considering use of surveillance video cameras in places with high concentrations of seniors, Dyer said.
"All of you folks have given so much of your life to taking care of all of us," Dyer said. "... The least we can do is repay you."
Annabelle Goshtigian, 77, was among those sitting in the audience. She liked what she heard.
"I think it's terrific," said Goshtigian, who has lived at Senior Citizen Village for more than 14 years. "It's to help seniors in knowing what to do."
After the brief meeting in the community center, Swearengin, Dyer and the volunteers fanned out among Senior Citizen Village's more than 700 homes. They knocked on doors, arranged home inspections and handed out brochures.
Standing next to his front door, Woody Miller, 81, said he liked seeing the mayor and the police chief discussing such an important issue with seniors face-to-face.
"That's what they need to do," Miller said.
Ruth Cavanah, 78, said she's going to schedule a home inspection.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Cavanah said. "I've lived a long time and I'm conscious of these things. But a lot of these people aren't. Some will open their door for anybody."
© Copyright The Fresno Bee.
