Valley Stream seniors learn crime prevention tips

The Green Acres Senior Center in South Valley Stream played host to one of these seminars. On Feb. 21, more than 50 seniors listened as Sgt. John Coburn, from the town’s Department of Public Safety, gave tips on how to keep their home safe.

Coburn said the crimes start out innocent — a person knocks on your door and recommends a repair to your house, such as new siding or cleaning the chimney. They could also say they are from the cable or phone company, Coburn said noting how easy it is to buy a yellow vest from Home Depot. While you’re outside, the person’s partner goes in and “robs you blind,” Coburn said. It’s all a scam, he explained.

“Your front door is your best defense,” Coburn said, telling seniors that just because they hear a knock on the door, doesn’t mean they have to answer it.

Coburn said that there are many pairs of robbers committing these crimes in Nassau County, particularly along the South Shore. Within the past two months areas such as Baldwin, Massapequa and Merrick have been targets for these types of crimes. The Town of Hempstead has hosted these crime prevention seminars throughout February at its various senior centers.

Windows are another way that robbers can break in, Coburn said. He said residents should always use the security locks, which allow a window to be opened few inches for fresh air, but leave a space that no one could fit through. Also, bushes should never block a window, he said, so someone can’t try to break in without being seen.

Never leave a ladder outside either, Coburn said, because that leaves second story windows vulnerable. Spare keys should never be left under a doormat or flower pot, in a fake rock or in a magnetic box underneath your car.

When robbers do get inside, he said, they are usually looking for jewelry and cash. They will take jewelry boxes, wallets and pocketbooks before fleeing. “They’re taking five minutes to rob you,” he said. There are many types of decoy safes, he said, ranging from hair spray bottles to soda cans, which cost between $10 to $30. Often, he said, it’s good to put cheap jewelry in a jewelry box, and hide the real stuff. That way if robbers do get inside they leave with nothing of value. “If you don’t leave something for them,” he said, “they’re going to wreck your house looking for it.”

Coburn also told seniors how to avoid phone scams, and be careful about what information they give out over the phone. At every senior center he has visited, Coburn said at least one senior has gotten a call from a person saying their grandson was in jail and they should send $5,000 to bail him out. That’s one of the most common scams, he noted.

Anyone who gets a phone call that they believe is a scam should immediately call the police, or the district attorney’s office, Coburn said.

Some in the audience were surprised to learn from Coburn that men and women actually get robbed at an equal rate. “Everyone can be victim,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are.”

Solon Chalmers, vice president of the Green Acres senior group, said he thought the program was very informative and he even learned a few tips to better protect his home. “I thought it was very well presented” he said. “Everybody has the same problem with crime.”