PUBLISHED SEPT. 8, 2016
Seniors vs. Crime — a valuable resource
now more accessible
By PHYLLIS HODGES
Jim Granan, manager of the Seniors vs. Crime office in Sun City Center, meets with a Tampa man referred by the Florida Attorney General’s office. The case involves a security service vendor.
As a Hillsborough County senior, where can you go if you feel victimized by some business, group or individual? One place to turn is Seniors vs. Crime, which has 40 Florida offices—one conveniently located in Sun City Center. The name is somewhat misleading since its services involve not only perceived crimes but also civil disputes (even between family members) where arbitration by a third party can be helpful.
The mission of this special project of the Florida Attorney General’s Office is to help prevent crime and fraud against senior consumers and mediate civil disputes. The Seniors vs. Crime offices are staffed with volunteers and funded by grants.
Jim Granan, who has managed the SCC office since 2008, said, “We call ourselves ‘sleuths,’ because our job is to get facts from both parties. We then help them reach a resolution in a caring and professional manner.” The team covers all of Hillsborough County; they also help non-HC residents if the second party is in this county. Most clients are referrals from the Attorney General’s office or the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; others contact the office directly after hearing about the service from friends.
The staff is delighted that the SCC Community Association came to their rescue in June this year and provided space when they had only a five-day notice to move from the Corporate Center building on S. Pebble Beach Boulevard. They are now on the CA’s Central Campus, occupying the Pelican Room on the northwest corner of the Old Towne Hall Building. “The new location is more visible and easier to reach, which has already resulted in more walk-ins,” said Gail Gause, a seven-year volunteer. “ It has also stimulated inquiries about volunteering. That’s a blessing because we are spread pretty thin to keep up with the caseload.”
The office gained higher visibility when it moved to the SCC Community Association Central Campus in June.
Granan said their volunteer roster totals a whopping 10 or so people (depending on time of year), and they sorely need more, especially since their client list is climbing. He would welcome the opportunity to talk to anyone who likes to interact with people and would be interested in helping them. Patience, understanding and a willingness to listen are the only criteria.
Seniors vs. Crime is one of a handful of non-CA groups with space on CA property. Others are Samaritan Services, Men’s Club Lifeline and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). The county’s sheriff’s department also maintains a substation on the campus. CA Board President David Floyd said that they evaluate each request on a case-by-case basis. They decided to provide space for Seniors vs. Crime, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, to make the project’s valuable service more easily accessible.
The office has somewhat limited open office hours depending on volunteer availability. Most face-to-face meetings are by appointment. To make an appointment, or inquire about volunteering, call 813-634-8666. For more information, go to seniorsvscrime.com.
