Operation keeps seniors safe

Cops’ undercover mission has halved thefts on elderly in the?DTES

images courtesy of the vpd

Published: December 19, 2008 5:08 a.m.

Last modified: December 19, 2008 2:13 a.m.

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An undercover operation to dress Vancouver cops as seniors to catch robbers in the Downtown Eastside has cut theft from the elderly by more than half.

The officers were used as bait for would-be thieves, and it only took 20 minutes for an officer dressed as a disabled man in a wheelchair to be robbed.

Operation Oldtimer was launched after Const. Christiane Prevost noticed a trend of elderly assaults in the DTES, Insp. Adam Palmer said.

Prevost found 80 per cent of street robberies in Vancouver happened in the DTES, and many more weren’t being reported.

Two officers, one in his 60s and another in his 40s, who wore stage makeup to appear elderly, posed as senior citizens five times from August to October.

“While any violent crime is concerning, it’s particularly disturbing when you see people being victimized because they are vulnerable,” said Palmer.

“It’s an attack on their dignity, self-confidence and sense of security.”

Police arrested 10 people, one of whom already had 10 robbery convictions, and reduced the prevalence of robbery of seniors by 59 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Sgt. Toby Hinton, the younger of the undercover officers, said he felt vulnerable as a senior: “You really appreciate what elderly and disabled people go through in the DTES.”