New Canaan Police Chief on Fraud Prevention for Seniors

According to the “2018 DOJ Report on Senior Abuse and Financial Exploitation,” each year, an estimated three billion dollars is stolen from America’s seniors through various scams. Seniors often fall prey to imposters who claim to represent the IRS, Medicare or Medicaid, Social Security, or other legitimate businesses. Unfortunately, New Canaan is not immune to these scams. Over the years, some New Canaan seniors have suffered substantial financial losses. 

Thus far in 2021, our Department investigated 27 fraud complaints, and some of these scams targeted seniors. This month, a resident contacted our Department to report being the victim of a Grandparent Scam. Sadly, this victim was defrauded out of thousands of dollars. What is Senior Fraud? 

Senior fraud, also known as senior financial exploitation, is the misappropriation or theft of financial resources.

Police: Butler Lane Home Burglarized

Police are investigating the burglary of an unoccupied home on Butler Lane, officials say. Burglars broke a rear glass door to gain entry into the home, according to Police Chief Leon Krolikowski. 

Police are working on a list of all items stolen during the burglary, Krolikowski said in a press release. It isn’t clear which Butler Lane house was broken into. Police shared no further details about the active investigation, and the street address and other details in a New Canaan Police Department call log that refers to the burglary have been redacted. New Canaan had just one burglary through the first eight months of 2021, compared to 12 in the same period in 2020, according to data shared at last month’s meeting of the Police Commission.

Police Chief: ‘Domestic Violence is New Canaan’s Violent Crime’

Although our Town has little crime, crimes such as domestic violence have remained constant over many years. Domestic violence is New Canaan’s violent crime. If you live in New Canaan, and you are the victim of violence, it is highly probable that the perpetrator is someone that you love. 

Domestic violence is both a national and an intimately local problem that knows no boundaries. Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police. According to former Attorney General Janet Reno: “Too many American women live in fear of the very people upon whom they depend for love and affection. Instead of providing refuge, the walls of many homes serve as prison bars.” 

Thus far in 2021, our Department investigated 47 family disputes, and many of these investigations resulted in arrests.

NCPD

Police: SUV (Unlocked, Keys Inside) Stolen from Butler Lane Driveway

Police say an SUV was reported stolen from a driveway in the “South of the Y” neighborhood last week and may have been used by thieves attempting a pre-dawn illegal entry of another car in New Canaan. Officers were dispatched to Butler Lane at about 9:59 a.m. on Sept. 5 on the report of a 2016 GMC Yukon XL stolen overnight, according to police. The SUV had been left unlocked with the keys left inside, according to a press release issued by Police Chief Leon Krolikowski, and hadn’t been recovered as of last Tuesday. Earlier in the morning, at 5:15 a.m., officers had been dispatched to an Orchard Drive home to investigate a report of people trying to enter a vehicle, according to the press release.