Crime Prevention Tips - Traveling Criminals

This is an e-mail sent out by Joel Morganstern of the City of Lake Worth Police Department. He is the C.O.P. administrator.

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years. I just wanted to pass along another Crime Prevention Tip, as this is the season for it.

Be aware that this is the beginning of the season for our older population and traveling gypsy criminals and others seeking to scam older citizens out of their belongings. Please keep an eye out for “workers” or “contractor” types in or near where our elderly residents reside. These people seek out the elderly and put on their shows. Look for subjects doing paving, roofers, insect or weed control, or just out on foot scoping the area out. If the contractor is for real, they are required to be licensed and registered and have a permit do business within city limits. Look for signage or lack of, and out of state tags. These subjects are usually mistaken for Hispanics, but are largely Romanian travelers. Your first contact may be with a very well dressed individual. If you are suspicious of their activity in your area, i.e.; soliciting, knocking on doors, driving around repeatedly, please call the police. These “professionals” usually demand a large sum of money up front in order to start the job, and once paid (in cash) you will not see them again.

Examples:

Usually working in teams of two or more, they will often distract the homeowner, while another enters or wanders through the house looking for valuables.

Often impersonating a pest control service doing business for a neighbor, they will accidentally spray the solution onto the hands of the victim and warn the victim to remove their jewelry to place in a milk solution to keep the jewelry from being damaged. When distracted, they will remove the jewelry from the milk solution.

Roof examiners will often spray a chemical onto your roof and try to convince the victim that they need roof repairs, usually costing thousands of dollars in upfront costs.

These “professionals” will often mark their territory by leaving a “dab of paint” along the curb. This sign will let their co-workers know that the resident is “ripe” or “vulnerable” for their home improvement scam.

Often impersonating a “potential buyer” for a home similar to your model. The elder man and woman will ask if they can see your home furnished, since the one they are interested in is empty. Once inside, they will split up or distract the homeowner. Usually, jewelry and cash will be found missing at a later time.

Be a good neighbor and if you have an elderly person living next door, ask them to contact you should they be made aware of the need for home improvements by a stranger.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you know.

Joel