The Cobb County Neighborhood Safety Commission (NSC) was established during the latter part of 1999.  It is comprised of 15 members of our community with various backgrounds and interests as well as an ex-officio member; the Cobb County Public Safety Director.  The members of the NSC are appointed by each Cobb County Commissioner; 3 from each Cobb County Commissioner including the Chair.

The NSC was established by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners for the following purposes:

• To assist in efforts to promote safer neighborhoods for both residential and business sectors,
• To increase local community involvement in neighborhood safety,
• To identify new neighborhood safety resources, and
• To strengthen existing neighborhood safety programs

Some of the NSC accomplishments over the years include initiatives both large and small.  Some of the larger initiatives in terms of depth, scope and time to establish are the current False Alarm Ordinance, the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force and a Gang Awareness & Prevention public forum series.  We have also held several public forums related to home invasions – what to do, what not to do and how can you help to prevent this happening to you.  Others have included efforts to have you and the children of Cobb County to get to know your local police & fire stations and those who work as first responders.

The goal for the NSC is not to own an initiative on a go-forward basis but to act as a ‘catalyst for change’ on an issue.  Ideas for our initiatives come from the community as well as candid discussions with professional members of our Public Safety community. Visit the Neighborhood Safety Commission's website.

Task Force aims to fight Elder Abuse in Cobb

Elder abuse and exploitation is growing across Cobb, the state and the country, just as the population of those ages 65 and up is growing, too. Anyone can be taken by a scam, but seniors are particularly targeted for a variety of reasons, including cognitive decline and limited independence.

Although elder exploitation is under-reported, studies indicate the crime robs seniors of billions of dollars each year. On average, individual victims of elder exploitation lose $90,000.

Seniors can be exploited by anyone: family members, friends, caregivers, or strangers. It can be done in person or by telephone, mail or the Internet. Scammers are constantly developing new ways to separate seniors from their hard-earned resources and once the money is provided to the perpetrator, there’s little chance of getting any of it back.

Beyond the loss of money or other resources, victims often suffer emotionally from the exploitation. Victims may be embarrassed that they were duped, lose confidence in their own abilities or become depressed.

The best cure is prevention, and that is the goal of the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force. The task force is made up of volunteers who educate seniors and other citizens of Cobb on how to avoid being scammed.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Jason Marbutt is chairman of the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force, and he urges seniors to be cautious of anyone offering services or seeking any amount of money from you. Don’t be pressured in to making quick decisions on spending. Plan ahead and get your estate plan in place while your mind remains sharp.

If someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. Non-emergency reports can be made to Adult Protective Services at 866-552-4464 or online at aging.georgia.gov.

For more tips and resources, visit the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force online at www.ceatf.org.