The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that for every one case of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation that gets reported, and additional five more go unreported. At the same time, we are aging as a society with the elderly comprising a larger percentage of the national population. Bloomington and Monroe County have become attractive retirement destinations, offering a high quality of life and ample opportunities for recreation and entertainment. Key to maintaining our quality of life is a strong commitment to the public safety issues that affect the elderly members of our community.
Morgan County has partnered with Monroe County, which has established an Elder Crimes Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to:
The Elder Crimes Task Force will work with local law enforcement agencies to develop policies and best practices for pursuing crimes against the elderly, and with community organizations to promote public education and crime prevention strategies. The Task Force includes a felony deputy prosecutor, and representatives from the Adult Protective Services and Victim’s Assistance programs of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. The Elder Crimes Task Force will meet on a regular basis and undertake various projects aimed at raising greater community awareness of crimes against the elderly.