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Co-op City Times / December 30, 2023
Understanding and Combating Elder Abuse
Public Safety Report
Elder abuse is a pervasive and deeply troubling issue that affects a significant portion of the global population. As societies age, the vulnerability of older individuals increases, making them susceptible to various forms of mistreatment. As we enter a New Year, we aim to shed light on the different dimensions of elder abuse, exploring its prevalence, types, risk factors, and the crucial steps that must be taken to prevent and address this widespread problem. Elder abuse encompasses a range of intentional actions or negligence that result in harm or distress to an older person. This mistreatment can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Recognizing the diversity of elder abuse is essential for developing effective prevention strategies and support systems for victims. Understanding the prevalence of elder abuse is challenging due to underre-
Public Safety Blotter
December 17 – December 23, 2023 December 17, 2023 2440 Hunter Avenue A cooperator was arrested by an outside agency for assaulting a female. The cooperator was issued a Community Complaint for Anti-Social Behavior by CCPD. December 18, 2023 120 Bellamy Loop CCPD responded to a call about a tree that fell on top of an unoccupied vehicle due to high wind conditions. The registered owner was contacted by CCPD and responded to the scene. 140 Elgar Place CCPD responded to debris flying in the air and landing on the ground due to high winds from a storm. Upon investigation, CCPD observed a terrace to be damaged by the storm with an unauthorized propane gas grill being stored on the terrace. The cooperator was issued a total of four Community Complaints by CCPD. 2063 Bartow Avenue CCPD responded to RiteAid where a store employee reported that two suspects removed items from the shelves without paying and left the scene in an unknown direction. 120 Aldrich Street CCPD responded to a call for a group loitering in the 7th floor stairwell. Upon arrival, CCPD observed one male and one female cooperators loitering. While one cooperator resides in the building and the other cooperator resides in another building. A Community Complaint was issued to the residing resident and a second Community Complaint was issued to the cooperator of record for the non-residing resident. 2063 Bartow Avenue CCPD responded to RiteAid where a store employee reported that a suspect removed a pair of headphones from the shelf without paying and fled the establishment toward the BX12 bus. 100 Benchley Place CCPD responded to a call about mailboxes that became dislodged from the wall. The United States Postal Service was notified along with Maintenance for repair of the mailboxes. December 19, 2023 4220 Hutch. River Parkway E. A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was re-
moved from in front of his apartment door by an unknown individual. 120 Alcott Place A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from the lobby by the mailbox by an unknown individual. December 20, 2023 140 Asch Loop CCPD responded to a call of a suspicious individual riding up and down on the elevators. The suspect was stopped and questioned by CCPD and could not give a reason for being in the building. The suspect was placed under arrest and charged with trespassing. 120 Aldrich Street A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from in front of her apartment door by an unknown individual without her permission and was captured on her Ring camera. 4100 Hutchinson Parkway A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from in front of her apartment door by an unknown individual without her permission. December 21, 2023 100 Casals Place A cooperator reported that her confirmed delivered package that was later discovered in the lobby of her building was empty with its contents missing. December 23, 2023 150 Dreiser Loop A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from the lobby area by an unknown individual without her permission. 4120 Hutch. River Parkway E. A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivery was removed from in front of her apartment door by an unknown individual without her permission. Side of 21B, Adler Place A cooperator reported returning to his parked vehicle and observing that various items were removed from the vehicle by an unknown individual without her permission. 4160 Hutch. River Parkway E. A cooperator reported that a confirmed delivered package was removed from the lobby by an unknown individual without his permission.
porting, societal stigma, and a lack of standardized reporting mechanisms. Research suggests that elder abuse occurs across different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, and geographic regions. Statistics vary, but it is widely acknowledged that the problem is more pervasive than commonly believed. Types of Elder Abuse Physical abuse involves the use of force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. This can include hitting, slapping, pushing, or any form of violence that causes harm to an older person. Signs of physical abuse may include unexplained bruises, fractures, or injuries. Emotional abuse refers to the infliction of mental anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or non-verbal acts. This may involve threats, insults, isolation, or intimidation, leading to emotional suffering. Detecting emotional abuse can be challenging, as the signs may be subtle and include changes in behavior or mood. Financial exploitation occurs when someone misuses or takes advantage of an elderly person’s financial resources for personal gain. This can involve theft, fraud, coercion, or deceptive practices, jeopardizing the financial security of older individuals. Signs of financial exploitation include sudden changes in banking activity, missing funds, or unexplained financial transactions. Sexual abuse involves non-consensual sexual contact or coercion against an older person. This form of abuse is often underreported due to shame, fear, or cognitive impairments. Signs of sexual abuse may include unexplained genital infections, bruises, or emotional withdrawal. Neglect occurs when caregivers or family members fail to provide the necessary care and support required for an older person’s well-being. This can involve inadequate food, shelter, medical care, or assistance with daily activities. Physical and emotional signs of neglect may include malnutrition, untreated medical conditions, or social withdrawal. Understanding the risk factors associated with elder abuse is crucial for developing targeted interventions and prevention strategies. Some common risk factors include: Social Isolation: Older individuals who are socially isolated are more vulnerable to abuse as they may lack a support network or regular contact with others who could identify signs of mistreatment. Dependency on Caregivers: Elders who are dependent on caregivers for daily activities are at an increased risk of abuse, especially if the caregiver is overburdened, stressed, or lacks the necessary skills and knowledge. Cognitive Impairment: Conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can increase an individual’s susceptibility to abuse, as they may have difficulty recognizing and reporting mistreatment. Financial Dependency: Elders who are financially dependent on others are at risk of financial exploitation. This can occur within familial relationships or through scams targeting older individuals. History of Violence or Trauma: Individuals with a history of violence or trauma, either as victims or perpetrators, may be more prone to engaging in abusive behavior or becoming victims of abuse in later life. (Continued on page 22)
OPPORTUNITIES AT CO-OP CITY For information on CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES ONLY, please contact: Lenya Garcia at Lgarcia@riverbaycorp.com; and Anatoliy Budnitskiy at abudnitskiy@riverbaycorp.com. Please note: emails should be sent to both parties. Please DO NOT email resumes for EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES to the aforementioned emails. For EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, please see below for specific directions.
CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES There are no contract opportunities to list this week. Please check back. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
For employment opportunities, please search “Riverbay Corporation” at the following sites: www.Indeed.com • www.Glassdoor.com Candidates may review full position descriptions and apply at either site. Current Riverbay employees should submit a transfer request and resumé directly to the HR department. Thank you for your interest in working for Riverbay Corporation.
