The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the third highest percentage of elderly residents in the United States. There are close to 2 million Pennsylvanians over the age of 65 living here. Con artists of all types specifically target this generation, whose willingness to help others and a lifelong sense of charity make them particularly vulnerable to cons, scams and outright fraud. The office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General has created a specialized unit, Senior Crime Prevention University, to educate and protect our older adults and their families from this type of criminal activity.

On Tuesday, October 4 the Senior Crime Prevention University (SCPU) is coming to our neighborhood at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. This program is free and open to all senior citizens and those who care about them. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment and Center on the Hill have joined forces to invite Ameer Blackmon, Education and Outreach Specialist for the Attorney General’s office, who will discuss the theme of Senior Crime Prevention U : “AWARE, AVOID, ALERT”. Come with your questions; Mr. Blackmon is prepared to answer them. Both Centers join the Attorney General in wanting to make seniors aware of the scams and frauds out there; teach them how to avoid becoming the next victim; make them alert and observant of their surroundings and situations. All of us also want to encourage senior citizens to report any suspected scams or fraud (telemarketers, foreign lotteries, unsolicited home improvements, sweepstakes, investment schemes, and the list goes on) to local law enforcement.

Senior Crime Prevention University will be in session from 1:00 – 2:30 on October 4^th, at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Avenue. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge to attend, but registration on or before September 30 is highly recommended. Call Leslie at the Center on the Hill (215-247-4654); or Mary and Sandra at the Center for Enrichment (215-248-0180).