Arlington Crime Solvers salutes efforts to combat elder-fraud - Inside NoVA

It’s the fear of many: An elderly family member is preyed on by scam artists, who drain their savings and, perhaps just as important, rob them of their sense of security.

Such was the case in Arlington last year, when “contractors” convinced two local residents they needed home repairs. Over the course of several months, they bilked their victims out of more than $60,000 – all of it in cash.

Into the breach stepped Arlington County Police Department Detective Kevin White, who has spent 19 of his 28 years on the force in the financial-crimes unit. Working off a single fingerprint found at one scene, the unit was able to arrest two suspects, who were convicted, sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution.

It is because of the “relentless commitment” to help county residents who find themselves in similar predicaments that White was honored as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by Arlington County Crime Solvers.

“I am very humbled,” White said during a luncheon held May 4, praising the efforts of the community to play its role in the fight against crime.

“It’s just really important that we keep working together,” White said.

Crimes targeting seniors get special attention by Arlington police because of the damage they can do, Chief Jay Farr said.

“This, to me, is one of the most insidious of them all,” Farr said of crimes against seniors. “These cases bring an immense amount of stress on the victims.”

The theme of working together was emphasized during the lunch by Crime Solvers president Andres Tobar.

“It’s not ‘us-against them,’” Tobar said of the police/public relationship. “It’s ‘us.’”

Arlington Crime Solvers was founded 17 years ago. Its first president, former Arlington Chamber of Commerce president Rich Doud, was honored at the May 4 ceremony.

“Great folks have kept this going over the years,” Doud said.

Also honored was the Arlington Chamber itself, represented by chairman Tina Walker and president Kate Bates.

Michael Garcia, a Chamber board member who recently became involved in Crime Solvers, said the tips that are provided have a direct impact on the community.

“Just one good tip can eliminate hundreds of [police] staff hours,” he said.

Noah Simon, a former Arlington School Board member and currently district director for U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th), said the local community benefits from a foundation of trust between the public and the police.

“In some parts of the country, it’s a fractured relationship,” Simon said. “It is very clear that, in Arlington, it is not.”

Farr said all community assistance was invited.

“We can’t do our job if you don’t help us,” he said.

Funds raised by the Arlington Crime Solvers are used to provide a hotline number – (866) 411-TIPS – for the public.

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