Seniors should be on guard for offers that sound too good to be true, whether its a free vacation, sweepstakes prizes, cures for cancer or arthritis, or a low-risk, high yield investment scheme. Never give your credit card, Social Security, or bank account numbers to anyone over the phone. It is illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift.

Con artists use any number of techniques to make what they are offering sound too good to refuse. Children should educate their aging parents about schemes that promise wealth but require an up-front payment by the recipient as a show of good faith.     

Many of the scams that are being perpetrated today originate in foreign countries. Once an unsuspecting victim’s money leaves the US it is very difficult to recover. The rule of thumb – If it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

Seniors are also a target of good deals on home repairs. Fly-by-night contractors often pressure unsuspecting homeowners for full payment before they begin the project.  They then disappear before they finish the project or they leave the homeowner with sloppy workmanship.  Legitimate contractors should be willing to accept payment for satisfactory work as the project progresses.     

 Don’t let anyone rush you into anything - an insurance policy, a sales agreement, a contract. Read it carefully and have someone you trust check it over.

Beware of individuals claiming to represent companies, consumer organizations, or government agencies that offer to recover lost money from fraudulent telemarketers for a fee.  If you are suspicious, check it out with your police or sheriff’s office, the Better Business Bureau, or the consumer protection office.  

TWO OF BRADLEY’S MOST WANTED FUGITIVES ARRESTED

Two fugitives who were on Bradley County’s Ten Most Wanted list have been arrested.

Kenneth R. Oliver, 44, has been charged with violation of Tennessee’s sexual offender registration statute.  Oliver was added to the sheriff’s department’s most wanted list in May.  He is currently incarcerated in the Bradley County jail.

Failure to register as a sex offender is a felony under the state’s comprehensive sexual offender law enacted in 2004.

Also arrested recently was Patricia Laney.   The 25-year-old was arrested as she re-entered the United States at a border crossing from Mexico in Brownsville Texas .  Customs officials took Laney, who was traveling under an alias, into custody on federal narcotics charges.  

Catlett is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the March 19, 2007 wounding of her husband, Danny J. Catlett, at their home on Peachtree Circle

The Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough investigation of the incident and went before the grand jury on Wednesday.

She is being held in the Bradley County jail with bond set at $250,000.

An additional shooting incident at the Catlett’s residence on May 6^th of this year was presented to the grand jury but no indictments were returned.

In previous columns I have discussed ways that can help homeowners lessen their chances of becoming the victim of a crime.   

It is equally important to be a good neighbor, to commit to efforts in your community aimed at crime prevention. Keeping an eye for suspicious activity – the concept of neighbor helping neighbor - is one of the basic ways to deter crime and make a neighborhood safer.  You become familiar with your neighbors, their habits and frequent visitors.  It becomes easy to notice situations that appear “out of the ordinary” and vehicles that are prowling to find an unoccupied home to burglarize.   

Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs using the concept of neighbor helping neighbor. It is a proven, effective way to reduce criminal activity through citizen involvement.  Not only do homeowners get involved in the protection of their property, but watch programs promote strong citizen – law enforcement associations.

Founded in 1972, the organization is supported by most sheriffs and chiefs of police across the country.

Local associations work with law enforcement to receive the training they will need and in turn they provide valuable information back to the sponsoring agency.  Thieves often bypass areas where a neighborhood watch sign is posted because they know there is an active group of concerned citizens watching out for the welfare of others in the neighborhood.

If your community has a group keep it active.  Schedule frequent meetings for open crime prevention discussions and leave the door open for new residents of the community to join.  Offer them the same training as other members and suggest the association as a way to become acquainted with their new neighbors.  If necessary, canvass door-to-door to recruit members.

Watch meetings should be used as an opportunity to share information about work schedules, those who are home during the day, those who are retired, and those confined indoors by illness.  Watch groups can also be used to determine interest in special activities, such as walking or jogging together.

If you would like more information about Neighborhood Watch contact Sgt. Yvonne Johnson at 728-7318.

Neighborhood watch is a way you can get involved and show your community spirit!