'Fashion Show of Uniforms' Helps Seniors Avoid Trouble

By LEISA TAYLOR, Correspondent

If the word “model” conjures up thoughts of a young, beautiful female, for some senior citizens, images of “models” now also include a motorcycle cop, police officer, firefighter, paramedic, UPS delivery person, electric company worker, and postal employee.

A “uniform fashion show” at Westfield Shoppingtown Trumbull Mall recently helped educate senior citizens on the identifying features of true company employee uniforms and accessories. Models included uniformed employees from United Illuminating, the Trumbull Post Office, United Parcel Service (UPS), Trumbull EMS, the Trumbull Police Department, and Trumbull’s Long Hill Fire Department.

“This is truly an awareness campaign,” said Angela DeLeon from People’s Bank, which co-sponsored the event. “You go away feeling empowered – feeling that when someone comes to your door and you hear knock, knock, knock, you’re going to wait and know who’s behind the door before you open that door. What we’re doing is presenting a program to prevent you from becoming a victim. We’re going to arm you with the weapon of awareness.”

DeLeon is the originator and coordinator of the People’s Bank Masters Program, which educates seniors statewide on how they can protect themselves from physical harm and financial fraud. The program is nationally recognized for its leadership in initiating crime prevention and awareness programs for senior citizens. The fashion show was sponsored by Trumbull TRIAD, which consists of three groups: the Trumbull Police Department, the Trumbull Senior Center (the area agency on aging), and People’s Bank (the private business representative in Connecticut). DeLeon is also director of the State of Connecticut TRIAD Association.

DeLeon told the audience that recently two people came to a senior’s door in Ansonia and said they were from the hydraulic company. “They said that there was a burst pipe on the street and could they please go into the (senior’s) basement and check the pipes. The woman, of course – being kind and feeling she was going to help her neighbors – invited them to come into her house,” said DeLeon. Unfortunately, only one person went down to the basement with the woman, and the other person stayed upstairs and robbed her house. DeLeon noted that “most criminals do work in pairs, especially when they’re doing this type of scam.”

“When someone shows up unannounced on your doorstep, it can be very unnerving if you don’t know whether you can trust them,” DeLeon said in a press release. “Seniors may become confused during an emergency situation, trusting someone in uniform whom they shouldn’t. In some cases, even when believing a person is suspicious, seniors may not know they have the right to keep a worker waiting on the doorstep until they verify his or her identity with the company. We want seniors to feel safe in their communities and in their homes.”

Trumbull First Selectman Ray Baldwin told the audience, “You’re going to see some of our really super models… Now, they may not be on the cover of Vogue or Cosmopolitan, but they are more important to you in your lives than those models in those magazines. We have one of the safest communities around because of our police, fire, and EMS. But we also have people who service the utility field. You’re going to get an opportunity to see what they look like this afternoon so you can’t be duped by somebody out there trying to take advantage of our seniors.”

“There’s a big message here – it’s very simple, but it’s very important,” said Trumbull Police Officer Joe Velky. “When the doorbell rings or someone knocks on your front door, stop and take a look out the front door or the window and make sure the person on the other side of the door is either someone you know or someone you’re expecting. If they’re not, and you get a funny feeling in your stomach that something’s wrong, call 911. You’re never bothering us (the police department); that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to make you feel safe in and out of your homes.”

Officer Velky, with the Trumbull Police Department for 20 years, said that some in the elderly community may feel more vulnerable than most people. “We educate and empower seniors to trust their instincts,” he said. “If something doesn’t feel right, call the police. Don’t ever feel like you’re wasting the police officer’s time.”

The model for United Illuminating, Azzie Dundy, was the first on the catwalk. “You ask to see my ID,” said Dundy. “If I tell you I don’t have my ID, don’t let me in. If you can’t look down the street and see my vehicle either way, don’t let me in. You then get on your phone, dial 1-800-722-5584, and stay on the line until you get a UI person. They should be able to look in the computer and see why Azzie is at your house. Because for me to be at your house, there has to be an order.”

UPS model Steve Foster said, “Obviously, we wear brown. Typically when we show up at your house, we have a computer in our hand, we have ID, and we drive a big, brown truck. We wear brown socks with a UPS logo on them. We wear brown or black shoes, never white sneakers. So if someone shows up with white sneakers, it’s not UPS.”

Trumbull Police Officer Scott Duva appeared on stage with fellow Officer Bob Schwartz, who rode a police motorcycle into the mall. “The Trumbull Police Department has several different uniforms. I’m an officer, and I’m usually the one who’s going to respond to your house if you call 911 or have a problem,” said Duva. “We wear the dark grey pants with gold stripes, the gray shirt, and we’ll always have our badge on our shirt or jacket depending on what season it is. The motorcycle officers wear the high leather boots and the gray pants with gold stripes. They have a darker shirt and also wear their badges. They will have on a gold police helmet.”

Two elderly women in the audience (both of whom wished to remain anonymous, as they live alone) said the fashion show was enlightening. “It’s a lesson that you can’t be kind to people who come to your door even though you want to help them,” said one. The second one added, “I don’t open my door to anyone.”

In addition to the fashion show, senior citizens were given “goodie bags” containing safety information on a wide range of subjects, ranging from sweepstakes swindles to identity theft. For example, United Illuminating distributed a pamphlet entitled “Personal Safety: A Guide for Seniors.” The bag also included a sign warning “STOP” for seniors to hang on their front doorknob.

Angela DeLeon thanked the many people involved in coordinating the show. Beginning in January, for example, Officers Velky and Duva worked many hours to ensure that this community service project would reach out to senior citizens. First Selectman Baldwin also thanked Officers Velky and Duva and Jennifer Gillis from the Trumbull Senior Center. “Without the cooperation of People’s Bank and the Trumbull shopping mall, this program would not be as successful as it is,” Baldwin added.

Jodi Latina, reporter for WTNH NewsChannel 8, served as emcee, and Alex Wong, the regional assistant marketing director for the shopping mall, welcomed the senior citizens.

Contact Leisa at l.taylor@thejusticejournal.com