More Than 150 Attend Senior Crime Prevention Seminars Hosted by Robbins in Hermitage and Meadville

Meadville – More than 150 area residents turned out for two Senior Crime Prevention Seminars hosted this week by state Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) in Hermitage and Meadville.

The free seminars were organized with the help of the state Attorney General's Office, which has an interactive presentation that serves to warn older residents about a variety of scams and fraudulent activities, Robbins said. The seminars included information and advice on several topics including identity theft, telemarketing, sweepstakes ploys, living trust scams, and elder abuse.

"I was extremely pleased with the turnout and the information we were able to provide to senior citizens," said Robbins. "The best defense against senior crime is information, and everyone who attended these seminars left with the knowledge they need to help make sure that they don't become a crime victim."

The first of the two 90-minute seminars was held Wednesday at the Shenango Valley Senior Center in Hermitage. The event featured presentations by Joyce O'Brien, of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection, Mercer County District Attorney James Epstein, and Mercer County Sheriff Bill Romine. Dr. Anne Wedemeyer provided advice on preventing elder abuse. Welcoming the 96 attendees and providing valuable assistance was the Shenango Valley Senior Center's Floy Moreira.

More than 60 residents turned out for the Senator's second seminar on Thursday at the Lew Davies Senior Center in Meadville. The seminar again featured Joyce O'Brien of the Attorney General's Office along with Crawford County District Attorney Francis Schultz and Acting Meadville Police Chief Dave Stefanucci. Rita Meneo of the Lew Davies Senior Center welcomed everyone and helped make the gathering a success.

Robbins said that, along with the turnout, he was impressed with the level of interest and participation showed by those on hand. In one presentation, attendees watched a video of various scenarios involving seniors and had to decide whether or not a scam had taken place.

"We can pass laws in Harrisburg -- in fact we're working on a package of bills to fight identity theft and related crimes right now -- but sometimes the best thing we can provide is information from the experts," said Robbins. "Pennsylvania has a large senior citizen population -- 15.6 percent -- and parts of the 50th Senatorial District are higher than that. Crime against senior citizens is a serious issue, and I want to thank everyone who took part in these seminars."

CONTACT: Nate Silcox (717) 787-1322