Safety Check: When in doubt, call the police

By Priscilla Greear

Guard your Social Security number like it’s a million dollar bill. Enter an “in case of emergency (ICE)” number in your cell phone. Report any suspicious behavior to the police department. Put your home on a house-watch before a trip. Call 911 with even vague signs of a heart attack.

The Coral Gables Police Department and the Coral Gables@HOME program of the Coral Gables Community Foundation together presented the Safety Check safety-awareness class on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at the Coral Gables police headquarters to about 20 seniors.

Police and fire officials challenged participants with such advice to be proactive and take safety measures to protect themselves and their property.

“I don’t want you to ever feel you’ll bother the police department if you think something is not right. … You can help us do our job by calling us. We have a non-emergency number (305-442-1600),” said Officer Kelly Denham of the Community Affairs Unit. “We never turn away a call given to us by one of our citizens.”

The most common type of crime against seniors is financial, said Officer Denham. She advised them not to carry their Social Security card in their wallet; “to treat it like a million dollar bill;” and not give it out unless necessary such as when getting hired.

Residents should turn away solicitors who come to their homes, such as those floating around trying to sell magazines or exterminate insects. And don’t even open the front door for police officers before verifying their identity by calling the police department, Officer Denham added.

The biggest crime in the Gables is property theft, for which persons should always lock car doors and not leave valuables inside, she continued. And they should have their key in hand when going to their cars from a public place to use as a weapon if necessary. “You’ve got to take responsibility for yourself and be aware of your surroundings.”

Marjorie Hartnett, a 28-year member of the volunteer Coral Gables Mobile Patrol, advised women to carry credit cards and driver’s licenses in their pockets to reduce the loss in case of a purse snatching.

Kattia Castellanos, Victim/Witness Unit coordinator for Gables police, described various services to which victims are entitled, including medical costs, lost wages, trauma counseling, assistance with funeral services and, for those over 60, some compensation for property damage. “It’s a very comprehensive program.”

Division Chief John Curry of the Coral Gables Fire Department Emergency Medical Services reported that 6,000 of the 7,000 calls they receive yearly are related to emergency medical services. And Gables EMS leads in developing a special network that speeds the transport of heart-attack patients to prepared hospital facilities. “We started it and it expanded out to six other jurisdictions. Nationally, they’ve taken our accomplishment -- the American Heart Association, they’ve adapted our … policy.”

Some classic heart attack signs include pain in the left arm, shortness of breath, weakness or lethargy. “If you ever feel a slight pain, call 911,” Chief Curry said. “Let paramedics come out and do what they are trained to do … and look at your heart.”

Participant Ana Perelmuter experienced only nausea before having a heart attack last year when her husband drove her to the hospital. She was fortunate to recover but now would act differently. “People don’t know that there are so many different symptoms you can have. People shouldn’t assume it isn’t a heart attack,” reflected Mrs. Perelmuter. “Now I would call fire rescue.”

Former Gables Mayor Dorothy Thomson, a CoralGables@HOME advisory board member, found the class to be uniquely hands-on in connecting residents to their police and fire departments.

“To me this is a great enabler … enabling senior citizens to take advantage of a better quality of life,” Mrs. Thomson said. “It’s extremely important for our seniors to have the knowledge and to take advantage of the services that are available.”

Serving residents 50 and older in the Gables since February 2009, CoralGables@HOME helps residents maintain independent living at home by providing an array of services, such as prescription delivery, transportation, pre-screened service providers and social and cultural events. For more information, see www. Gablesfoundation.org. You can also call 305-443-4011 or e-mail Executive Director Marli Lutz at mlutz@gablesfoundation.org.