As the elder population continues to grow, crimes against elders are likely to continue to increase in number and complexity. The District Attorney recognizes the specific issues and concerns that elder and disabled victims face in addition to the physical, psychological and emotional harm that all victims can suffer.
The Suffolk DA’s Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit (EPDU) is a specialized team committed to investigating and prosecuting certain crimes committed against persons who are sixty years of age or older or who live with physical or mental disabilities. These offenses can include robbery, assault and battery, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and theft.
The EPDU employs two assistant district attorneys, two victim witness advocates and two civilian investigators who are all well trained and equipped to meet the specialized needs of elder or disabled victims. They work closely with local police, protective services and community providers, and are able to provide support, assistance and resources to help victims get all of the resources they need. Members of the EPDU are also available to give presentations to civic groups and residential programs about how to prevent and report crime.
Interviewing mentally or physically disabled persons who may have been victimized requires a careful approach that preserves the person’s dignity and trust. The District Attorney employs trained professionals in the EPDU team who recognize and embrace that empowering approach.
Safety Tips:
- Do not open your door to strangers
- Request to see identification from any utility, home improvement or government worker who wants to enter your house or apartment
- Do not keep large sums of money in your home
- Never give out your social security number, bank account, or credit card numbers to unsolicited telephone callers
- Call 911 if you see a person acting suspiciously in your neighborhood
If you have you been the victim of a crime, please refer to the numbers below for information on reporting and assistance.
Helpful Resources and Telephone Numbers
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit Phone: (617) 619-4262 TTY: (617) 619-4333
Central Boston Elder Services: Intervenes when abuse and/or neglect, whether intentional or unintentional, endangers an elder’s health
Mystic Valley Elder Services: – Provides elder protection services in Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop
Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) – An independent state agency that investigates and remediates cases of abuse.
Help for Identity Theft Victims – Suffolk County District Attorney’s resource for victims of identity theft
Police Departments:
- Emergencies: 911
- Boston Police Department: (617) 343-4200
- MBTA Transit Police: (617) 222-1212
- Chelsea Police: (617) 884-1212
- Winthrop Police: (617) 846-1212
- Revere Police: (781) 284-1212
Agencies and Phone Numbers:
- Central Boston Elder Services: (617) 277-7416
- Mystic Valley Elder Services: (781) 324-7705
- Disabled Persons Protection Commission Hotline: (800) 426-9009 (V/TTY)
- Department of Mental Health: (617) 626-8000
- Department of Developmental Services (formerly the Department of Mental Retardation): (781) 894-3600
- Mass. Rehabilitation Commission: (508) 823-2874
- Elder Abuse Hotline: (800) 922-2275
- Chelsea/Revere/Winthrop Elder Services: (781) 286-0550
- Domestic Violence Unit contents: (617) 635-4366
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE
- SafeLink statewide 24-hr. hotline: (877) 785-2020
- Mass. Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA): (617) 727-5200
- The Ride provided by the MBTA: (617) 722-5123
