Community Corner

Seniors Crime Prevention & Safety Fair Set for Friday

The fair is sponsored by the Northdale OWLS, Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation & Conservation and the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office community outreach division.

In 2010, Florida was the state with the highest incidents of identity theft, according to the State Attorney's Office. Many of the victims were seniors.

"I don't think they're as skeptical and sometimes don't have the resources to easily pop on their smart phone and verify if something is real," said Cristal Bermudez Nunez, spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Once again, the sheriff's office, Northdale OWLS and the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department will team up to host the Seniors Crime Prevention & Safety Fair. This event will be held from 9 a.m. until 1:30p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4 at the Northdale Recreation Center located at 15550 Spring Pine Drive.

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This event is to help educate senior citizens on a variety of crime prevention and safety topics from scams to identity theft to personal safety.

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In its fourth year the event includes speakers, vendors and informational booths.

One of the most popular booths is called "Operation Medicine Cabinet," which allows seniors to bring in expired or unused prescription medicine, Nunez said. By disposing of the medicine it can keep prescriptions from getting in the wrong hands.

While the event is being held in Northdale, seniors from across the county are invited, Nunez said.

"We want people from all over to be able to take part," Nunez said. "It doesn't matter where they live they can benefit from the information."

In 2011, about 125 seniors attended the event. This year's attendance is expected to be even larger.

For more information about the fair call the sheriff office's public information department at 813-247-8060.

If You Go:

What: Seniors Crime Prevention and Safety Fair

When: Friday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. until 1:30p.m.

Where: Northdale Recreation Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive.


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