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CRIME ALERT
03/27/09

Crime Alert:

GPNA has been alerted by the police department about a new type of criminal. It is different in that these individuals travel the country.

They are targeting the elderly and posing at utility workers, inspectors, ect. Being that Grand Rapids is seeing an increase in these crimes we wanted to inform our neighbors.

These suspects look for certain characteristics in the houses they target to increase the chance that someone over 60 lives there. They look for over grown evergreens, lamps in the middle of the front window, outdated window coverings, metal trash cans, and trimmed lawns. In this area there are also aluminum awnings that were put over the windows in the 50's and 60's. Those houses are generally occupied by those over 60.

They are asking that seniors

1. Keep the storm doors closed and lock

2. Not to unlock them; these people will come in at the first chance they get.

3. ALWAYS ask for ID, do not just look at their vehicle, they will target neighborhoods where work crews are already working so they can say their vehicle is just down the street.

4. When they are NOT allowed to go inside or can't get the potential victim to go into the basement, they will change their tactic and ask for change for a $100. These people know that the seniors keep envelopes with money in them in their houses.

5. These crooks generally drive pick up trucks but they are seeing an increased number of SUV's (i.e. Wyoming and Grand Rapids) in February.

If you have elderly neighbors, please inform them of this possible threat and consider helping them to trim those evergreens or anything else that will help keep them safer

If a suspicious person does knock on your door, please call the police department and GPNA.

Kathleen B. Woudstra

President GPNA