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JPD to host free seminar on protecting the elderly from fraud The Jackson Police Department will host a free seminar, March 1, 2-4 p.m., at Jackson City Hall, in an effort to educate the public on fraud committed against senior citizens. The seminar will be conducted by Bruce Walstad, who retired from the Franklin Park, Ill Police Department, near Chicago, in 2001. Considered an expert on the subject, he has appeared on several national television programs including, Oprah, 48 Hours, Justice Files, You Asked For It, Fox News, Maury Povich, NBC News, Geraldo Rivera, Court TV, The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and CBS News. Walstad, who is now a resident of Foley, also conducts seminars on missing, runaway and abducted children; initial response to missing, runaway and abducted children; public speaking techniques for law enforcement; gypsy and traveler crime investigation; and carnivals and carnival game fraud. Also an accomplished magician, Walstad incorporates his entertainment skills into his presentation in an effort to keep the interest of his audience. He has conducted numerous seminars for many police departments across the U.S. Some facts and figures about fraud: *The majority of incidents of fraud that occur are never reported to the authorities. This is because law enforcement's main focus is on drugs, gangs, homeland security and violent crime. *Some home repair con artists are making $300,000 per year cheating senior citizens with phony home repair work. Society's view of fraud is that of being an annoyance, not a crime. *Congress estimates that approximately $40 billion per year is lost to telemarketing scams. Many of the victims are people who are looking for something for nothing or a deal. *If you were to add all the fraud that occurs in the country annually, it would equal 1-1/2 to 2 percent of this country's gross national product. The courts view of fraud is that of a nonviolent crime and are not punishing the offenders.
These are just some of the topics that will be discussed in next Thursday's free seminar. Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge encourages all senior citizens in the area, as well as younger people who may have elderly parents, to attend. "This is a good opportunity for everyone to learn what crimes are being committed against the elderly," he said.
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