Featured
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Oakland and Alameda County
By Cheryl Poncini
The month of June has long been recognized as Elder Abuse Awareness Month locally, nationally and internationally. This recognition is important because it helps keep the issue of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation on the community’s radar regardless if that community is a neighborhood, city, county, state, country or the world.
The sad reality is that elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation occur. The persons who commit such acts range from strangers to family members, friends, neighbors and others whom the elder thinks he or she can trust. With the growing number of seniors (under California law, age 65 and older) due to the aging of the Baby Boomers, the incidence of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation will continue to grow as well.
It is also a reality that elder abuse is one of the most under-reported crimes in the United States where it is estimated that one in fourteen cases of suspected abuse comes to the attention of law enforcement and/or Alameda County Adult Protective Services (APS). It is only by the community working with elders, APS and law enforcement to recognize the red flags of possible abuse and neglect and to report suspected abuse and neglect that interventions can be made and the elder protected from further victimization.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office works year round to provide information to the Oakland and Alameda County communities to increase awareness in the community of what constitutes elder and dependent adult abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, how to reduce the possibility of becoming a victim and, the resources available to assist the elder and dependent adult who is a victim of such abuse.
Those efforts include our deputy district attorneys and victim/witness advocates providing presentations and panels with information about scam awareness and the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and neglect.
The Elder Protection Unit also holds an annual training seminar for law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys and Adult Protective Services caseworkers on issues relevant to the investigation and prosecution of these cases. A deputy district attorney also chairs a county-wide committee which is examining both perceived gaps in services to seniors and dependent adults and strategies to close those gaps.
Specifically, for the month of June, the D.A.’s office has contacted, once again, the fourteen city councils in Alameda County as well as the county Board of Supervisors, asking that each recognize June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in their respective jurisdictions. Once again, all fourteen city councils and the Board of Supervisors have issued, or will be recognizing the importance of this issue. (See the office website for the flyer setting forth the dates and locations of these events.)
Members of the Elder Protection Unit appear at the various city council and Board meetings to again remind the community in that jurisdiction of the importance of elder abuse awareness. In addition, an informational and fun way to learn about the serious topic of senior scams will be held on June 21 at the San Leandro Senior Center when a deputy district attorney will engage seniors in a “trivia” contest to test how much they know about scams and financial exploitation.
In short, knowledge is power. The more seniors and those who work with, or care about, elders know regarding the various forms of possible elder abuse, the less likely one will become a victim. It takes both recognizing that elders are valuable members of the community who have the right to live safely and securely as well as the community—the elder, families, law enforcement, DA’s office, APS and others—working together to help keep elders safer and better able to enjoy life.
If you are a member of a community, faith-based or other organization which would like to have a presentation made at your organization regarding elder abuse awareness, do not hesitate to contact the Alameda County District Attorney’s office at 510-272-6222 for further information. These presentations are free of charge.
Cheryl Poncini is the Deputy District Attorney in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Elder Protection Unit.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Alameda County
DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland
Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.
Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.
City Government
Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Special to The Post
At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.
Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.
Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”
According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.
“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”
When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.
At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”
While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.
On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.
“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.
The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.
-
Community2 weeks ago
Financial Assistance Bill for Descendants of Enslaved Persons to Help Them Purchase, Own, or Maintain a Home
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 3 – 6, 2024
-
Business2 weeks ago
V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
-
Community2 weeks ago
AG Bonta Says Oakland School Leaders Should Comply with State Laws to Avoid ‘Disparate Harm’ When Closing or Merging Schools
-
Community1 week ago
Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame
-
Community1 week ago
Richmond Nonprofit Helps Ex-Felons Get Back on Their Feet
-
Community2 weeks ago
The Year Ahead: Assembly Speaker Rivas Discusses Priorities, Problems