City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
Proclamation
Proclaiming the Month of June 2022
as Elder Abuse Awareness Month
WHEREAS, although the elder population is the largest growing segment in the country, elder abuse is one of the most underreported crimes in the United States; and WHEREAS, victims of elder abuse include both men and women of diverse educational, socio-economic or ethnic backgrounds who have been victimized by strangers and/or by persons they know who may occupy a position of trust; and WHEREAS, more than two years after the 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic became a concern in the United States, it continues to impact everyone, especially elders, by making fragile living situations more stressful, thereby putting elders more at risk for their physical safety and well-being, as well as giving those who commit scams an opportunity to morph existing scams, as well as create new scams, to prey upon the concerns and fears of vulnerable members of society in order to obtain their money and property; and WHEREAS, Alameda County, through the District Attorney’s Office, the Social Services Agency and Ombudsman Services of Alameda County (Empowered Aging) provides a network of services to elders who are in danger of becoming, or who have become, victims of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation and responds to reports from all sectors about elders who may be physically or financially abused, neglected or exploited; and WHEREAS, the City of Emeryville Police Department and other City staff partner with Alameda County and non-profit agencies throughout the community to hold community workshops to promote crime prevention awareness, assist with locating services for elders, and gather data and evidence to support the prosecution of cases involving elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; and WHEREAS, the Emeryville Senior Center provides a comprehensive array of services, as well as social and recreational programs to meet the needs of the elder population, thereby enhancing their quality of life and helping them to remain active, healthy, safer, and independent; and WHEREAS, the City of Emeryville recognizes that both the awareness of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation as well as reporting instances of suspected elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, particularly in this stressful time of an ongoing global pandemic, will help keep our elders and community safer; now, therefore be it RESOLVED that, as Mayor of the City of Emeryville, and on behalf of the City Council, I hereby proclaim June 2022 as “Elder Abuse Awareness Month” in the City of Emeryville, as we stand together to protect survivors, bring offenders to justice, and highlight the importance of combating elder abuse in our community, helping to build a culture of safety and support for all those affected.
PROCLAIMED this 21st day of June 2022, at a regular City Council Meeting by the Mayor of Emeryville.
John J. Bauters, Mayor