Nassau Police: Safety Tips for Seniors

In light of the recent crime pattern targeting senior citizens in the Farmingdale, Massapequa, Plainview area, Nassau County Seventh Precinct officers have compiled tips for the senior citizen community.

"The elderly are usually more trusting, which makes them easy targets for criminals," the precinct said in a statement.

According to police, the most common method is distraction burglary, in which a team consisting of two individuals approaches the home. One team member engages the homeowner in conversation while the other burglary team member burglarizes the house. In some situations, the homeowner is told by the criminal that they are installing a new fence between their yard and a neighbor’s yard and in others they say they are a utility worker.

Tips for Seniors

• We recommend that you always keep your doors and windows locked if you are outside of your home. You have the right to refuse to open your door to any business person, service/utility person or official. 
• Before allowing anyone entry into your home or exiting your home to accompany them outside, verify the person’s identity.  Utility workers wear authoritative clothes or uniforms and will always carry credentials and photo ID. Examine it carefully for authenticity. You also can call the company/agency to verify the person’s identity. You always have the right to deny access and call the company/agency to set up a specific appointment at a time when you will not be alone.
• Never be alone with strangers.  Call a neighbor or friend to come by and stay with you while the stranger is on your property. If a stranger tries to gain access to your property without your permission, immediately call 911.

Police said they are actively investigating deceptive burglary teams with marked and unmarked patrols and their intelligence analyst has been looking at the county-wide pattern and informing the patrol officers about all suspicious persons, vehicles and events.