By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – The young residents of the Park Village apartment complex got a special treat the morning of May 13 when members of the Westborough Police and Fire departments stopped by for a “meet and greet” event.
The event was organized by Police Lt. Todd Minardi as a way, he said, to help kids get to know some of the officials and let them know they could count on them if they ever needed help. The kids were given the opportunity to check out a police cruiser and fire truck as well.
The officers also took the opportunity to discuss with parents and caregivers how to best protect themselves from the increasing amount of scams that have been occurring online as well as via cell phone calls.
“We just want to help provide them with information so they don’t get victimized,” Minardi said. “Unfortunately scammers are becoming more sophisticated and because so many are based out of the country, there’s really not much that we can do once a person has been victimized. So we want to give them tools so that does not happen.”
Noting that Park Village has a large Indian population, Minardi said the members of both departments hoped that the event would help to break down some of the cultural differences and misunderstandings that sometimes arise.
“Many of these large developments are almost a community within a community,” he said. “We want them to feel comfortable with us. It’s all about building relationships.”
“We would love it if someday we had an officer who was Indian. Maybe someday one of these kids here will want to be one,” he added. “This might be something that starts them getting interested in that.”
For information on scams and how to best protect yourself, visit www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/consumer-information/scams-and-identity-theft/cca.
Photos/Bonnie Adams
