Paul Greenwood, Deputy District Attorney, San Diego, CA
Attorney Greenwood provides some opening thoughts about addressing elder abuse and exploitation using a multi-sector approach and then takes questions for the remainder of the hour.
Paul Greenwood’s Opening Insights
Complete Q & A
Question #1 –
In our area, we make strides when we can find an individual supervisor from a police department interested in the issues, but once that individual moves on, we have to go back to the beginning. And frequently the next supervisor is just not interested in senior issues. We have tried conversations with higher police management. Seems the next step is to create public pressure, but like to avoid creating tension in the relations between police and prosecutors.”
Question #2 –
Do you see differences – cognitive, health, age, gender or otherwise – between people who were financially exploited by non-family (scammers) and those who were exploited by friends, families and trusted others?”
Question #3 –
Isolation is the #1 indicator of physical and financial abuse. But when families report that an elderly parent is isolated, law enforcement often responds with “That’s a civil matter.” What can families do to encourage law enforcement to investigate isolation and find the abuse that is hidden?”
Question #4 –
What can communities do to encourage local law enforcement to intervene in elder abuse?”
Question #5 –
Elder abuse by assisted living facilities and conservators is rampant, but those crimes are rarely investigated or prosecuted. What can communities do to encourage law enforcement to address abuse by facilities and conservators?”
Question #6 –
We need a national awareness campaign about elder abuse similar to NYC’s recent campaign. How can we collectively reach mainstream media to cover the epidemic of elder abuse and as you say the fastest growing crime of elder financial abuse?”
Question #7 –
Often prosecutors are only interested in pursuing financial exploitation cases, usually involving high dollar amounts. How can we encourage prosecutors to pursue other types of abuse/neglect?”
Question #8 –
What are some of the most important contributions a FAST team can make to the multidiscoplinary investigative process?”
Question #9 –
Do you have suggestions for motivating elder abuse task force to be pro-active?”
Question #10 –
What is relationship in San Diego between prosecutors office and consumer protection? Thinking of home improvement cases. Some are scammers but some are simply bad business people.”
Question 11 –
During my 9 year with APS I’ve lost count of the number of time law enforcement refused to even look at financial abuse cases, often for extremely large sums, by family members, particularly when the victim suffers from dementia. How can we better enlighten law enforcement that cases concerning family members, particularly adult children, who drain their loved one’s resources completely, need to be considered as potential exploitation?”
Question #12 –
How do we deal with advocates for elders, non medical advocates, stating they are Client driven services. Representatives are acting on the clients statements, not recognizing their capacities which may be in question. Consequently, concerned parties have no where to go.”
Paul Greenwood Insights –
Paul Greenwood Closing Remarks –
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