The Florida Attorney General created a program for an office of Seniors vs. Crime in 1989, and the office has opened this past week at the Mae Volen Senior Center at 1515 W. Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton.

Seniors vs. Crime offers free and direct assistance to seniors who have been targeted for specific crimes based on their age. A Senior Sleuth volunteer is assigned to the individual case in an attempt to resolve each situation. All criminal cases are turned over to the proper law enforcement agency for appropriate action. This program allowed seniors to become involved not only in their own protection, but also that of fellow citizens.

“The Senior Sleuths program is well-known around the state and can serve as the Attorney General's eyes and ears, volunteer, or actively assist in consumer protection investigations. These crime fighters have been responsible for recovering more than $4 million for seniors who were the victims of con artists,” according to Attorney General Charlie Crist. "Senior Sleuths volunteers are providing important assistance to the crime fighting effort," said Crist. "Unethical businesses and individuals may believe that their senior target is helpless when, in fact, these citizens may be working for the Attorney General." More than 3000 Volunteers work in storefronts.

"This is an important partnership among Boca Raton police, the Attorney General's office and the Mae Volen Center," said Mayor Steven Abrams, who was among those attending. "Fraud and abuse - especially toward the elderly - is particularly prevalent. It is important to have a program to educate seniors and recover the money they lost from being scammed."Also present were Interim Boca Raton Police Chief Jim Burke; Commander Maria Maughan, head of the police department's Family Services Bureau and Al Payne, deputy regional director of the program.

The Seniors vs. Crime office at Mae Volen will be open and staffed during regular business hours.For information about the program, call 1-800-203-3099.