HADLEY — Police, the Northwestern District Attorney’s office and Hampshire County sheriff are expanding efforts to prevent financial crimes and scams targeting older adults.
The three law enforcement organizations, working together as TRIAD in this initiative, will open an office at Hampshire Mall, which will be located near Planet Fitness.
A ceremonial ribbon cutting is set for Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. at the new office, according to the TRIAD partners.
Hadley Police Chief Michael Mason told The Republican that just last week a local senior was in jeopardy of being fleeced of $330,000.
The alleged perpetrator, Gaurang Contractor, 38, of New Jersey, was arrested Aug. 8, the chief said. Contractor was arraigned at Eastern Hampshire District Court and charged with attempted larceny of a person over 60 and breaking and entering into a motor vehicle with intent to commit a felony. A pre-trial conference will be held later this month.
Contractor allegedly claimed he was a government agent investigating identity fraud and that the victim was part of a conspiracy and must purchase $330,000 in gold from a local jeweler, and then forward this to a federal court officer, according to police.
“We are so grateful to the Hampshire Mall for giving us this amazing space to work out of because we hope that having a more centralized location will help us reach more than just a Hadley population. We intend on working with other agencies from Hampshire County who are involved in TRIAD to maximize our reach for those seniors who want it,” Mason said.
The chief added, “We have events like Coffee with a Cop or Cones with Cops, ice cream socials, and just like to chat with our seniors about anything that interests them about our agency or law enforcement in general. The idea is to help them get comfortable with our officers, so they know their names and faces. It’s really similar to how we try to have our School Resource Officers get to know the kids in our community.”
Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan’s office includes Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit that collaborates with elder-serving organizations, and the Consumer Protection Unit. These services include educational efforts and community presentations and outreach. They are focused on preventing identity theft, and increasing awareness around credit card, telemarketing, and scams that especially target seniors.
“(The goal is) to prevent crimes against the elderly,” Sullivan said. “The TRIAD program is the kind of grass-roots effort that can effectively help seniors with education and resources that prevent victimization, build upon their strengths, support a vibrant quality of life and give them the respect they so richly deserve,” he said.
“Protecting elders and other vulnerable people is very much a community effort,” he said.
Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick J. Callihane said that with TRIAD in its 30th year, he is “hopeful our new office will mark the beginning of a great new chapter for this outstanding program.”
Ad Choices