Dear Friends,
The Gold Bar scam has remained in the headlines lately with criminal charges filed last week in Montgomery County against five people. Unfortunately, even with those cases headed to court, these scams are still a threat to be worried about.
This is a nationwide problem that originated outside the United States but has taken hold in Montgomery County. Several other cases are still under investigation here, bringing the estimated amount lost to about $6 million.
It is also, sadly, not the only threat that seniors face. A national poll conducted by the University of Michigan last fall focused on healthy aging found that over the previous two years 75 percent of adults aged 50-80 reported experiencing a scam attempt and 30 percent experienced fraud. I would include myself in that crowd of 75 percent who someone or some entity has tried to scam – sometimes repeatedly. I am fortunate that I have not been the victim of fraud, but I can see how easy it is to be taken advantage of.
Older adults facing cognitive or physical challenges are more likely to be the target of a scam and have a worse fraud experience compared to those in better health.
The University of Michigan survey also found that 83 percent of all older adults want to know more about how to protect themselves from scams and nearly all believe policymakers and companies should do a better job protecting people from scams.
The County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) was established in 1971 to ensure a fair marketplace for consumers and businesses within Montgomery County. Its mission is as clear today as it was back then—to protect the health, welfare and safety of the public and honest business enterprises. Imposter scams in many different forms remain a common way people lose their money.
Our Department of Health and Human Services is also focused on the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. Adult Protective Services (APS) follows up on calls from the public reporting suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation to help protect our older adults from becoming victims. More than one-third of cases investigated by APS this year involved accusations of financial exploitation. When you look back over the last decade, there has been a 76 percent increase in cases involving financial crime allegations in Montgomery County alone.
These groups work with law enforcement to educate, prevent and respond to the victimization of older adults. On my media briefing this week, I welcomed State’s Attorney John McCarthy, OCP director Eric Friedman and APS administrator Julia McGlamary to discuss their roles in protecting seniors. You can find that conversation here.
I want to share some important phone numbers that could help victims and family members who want to report anything strange.
The Adult Protective Services hotline is 240-777-3000 and it is available at any hour, every day of the week.
The Office of Consumer Protection has an anonymous tip line at 240-777-3681. County residents can also call 311 for help.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and report anything you find suspicious. We are committed to protecting our most vulnerable population from financial ruin.
Clarksburg Fire
Last weekend a devastating fire destroyed an apartment building in Clarksburg. The fire left 24 apartments uninhabitable and displaced 43 people. Two residents were treated for minor injuries and three family pets were killed. Four firefighters also suffered minor injuries fighting the fire.
While the investigation of this fire is ongoing, it has been determined that this was an act of arson. A juvenile suspect has been charged and, after motions were filed by the State’s Attorney’s office, the individual was detained.
I want to thank our emergency responders and partners for their quick response to this fire. The American Red Cross and the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have been working closely to help fulfill needs. They worked to provide temporary shelter for some victims while other volunteers like Clarksburg Closet supplied essentials like clothes and toiletries.
This week MHP set up a relief fund to help those families. They will help identify unmet needs and manage donations, all of which will be given to families impacted by the fire. Visit mhpartners.org to contribute.
If you have any questions or need help directly from the County because of the fire, call our DHHS navigation line at 240-777-4141.
Jewish, LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted by More Vandalism at MCPS Schools
Across Montgomery County on Monday, teachers returned to school to prepare for the start of the school year next week. Unfortunately, some were greeted with hateful messages and political language spray-painted around campus.
Graffiti featuring antisemitic language, swastikas and slurs targeting the LGBTQ+ community were found on four school campuses. The schools targeted by vandals were Churchill and Wootton High Schools and Fallsmead and Strathmore Elementary Schools.
In an email to parents and a message to the community, MCPS leaders called the graffiti “politically charged.” This comes on the heels of similar incidents last week at and near Bethesda Elementary School and Congregation Beth El.
One incident might be shocking, but the repetition of these acts is a serious problem. People are entitled to their opinions, and there is no lack of places to express them, but defacing property and targeting schools and houses of worship is not acceptable.
This is a nationwide problem that originated outside the United States but has taken hold in Montgomery County. Several other cases are still under investigation here, bringing the estimated amount lost to about $6 million.
It is also, sadly, not the only threat that seniors face. A national poll conducted by the University of Michigan last fall focused on healthy aging found that over the previous two years 75 percent of adults aged 50-80 reported experiencing a scam attempt and 30 percent experienced fraud. I would include myself in that crowd of 75 percent who someone or some entity has tried to scam – sometimes repeatedly. I am fortunate that I have not been the victim of fraud, but I can see how easy it is to be taken advantage of.
Older adults facing cognitive or physical challenges are more likely to be the target of a scam and have a worse fraud experience compared to those in better health.
The University of Michigan survey also found that 83 percent of all older adults want to know more about how to protect themselves from scams and nearly all believe policymakers and companies should do a better job protecting people from scams.
The County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) was established in 1971 to ensure a fair marketplace for consumers and businesses within Montgomery County. Its mission is as clear today as it was back then—to protect the health, welfare and safety of the public and honest business enterprises. Imposter scams in many different forms remain a common way people lose their money.
Our Department of Health and Human Services is also focused on the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. Adult Protective Services (APS) follows up on calls from the public reporting suspected abuse, neglect and financial exploitation to help protect our older adults from becoming victims. More than one-third of cases investigated by APS this year involved accusations of financial exploitation. When you look back over the last decade, there has been a 76 percent increase in cases involving financial crime allegations in Montgomery County alone.
These groups work with law enforcement to educate, prevent and respond to the victimization of older adults. On my media briefing this week, I welcomed State’s Attorney John McCarthy, OCP director Eric Friedman and APS administrator Julia McGlamary to discuss their roles in protecting seniors. You can find that conversation here.
I want to share some important phone numbers that could help victims and family members who want to report anything strange.
The Adult Protective Services hotline is 240-777-3000 and it is available at any hour, every day of the week.
The Office of Consumer Protection has an anonymous tip line at 240-777-3681. County residents can also call 311 for help.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and report anything you find suspicious. We are committed to protecting our most vulnerable population from financial ruin.
Clarksburg Fire
Last weekend a devastating fire destroyed an apartment building in Clarksburg. The fire left 24 apartments uninhabitable and displaced 43 people. Two residents were treated for minor injuries and three family pets were killed. Four firefighters also suffered minor injuries fighting the fire.
While the investigation of this fire is ongoing, it has been determined that this was an act of arson. A juvenile suspect has been charged and, after motions were filed by the State’s Attorney’s office, the individual was detained.
I want to thank our emergency responders and partners for their quick response to this fire. The American Red Cross and the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have been working closely to help fulfill needs. They worked to provide temporary shelter for some victims while other volunteers like Clarksburg Closet supplied essentials like clothes and toiletries.
This week MHP set up a relief fund to help those families. They will help identify unmet needs and manage donations, all of which will be given to families impacted by the fire. Visit mhpartners.org to contribute.
If you have any questions or need help directly from the County because of the fire, call our DHHS navigation line at 240-777-4141.
Jewish, LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted by More Vandalism at MCPS Schools
Across Montgomery County on Monday, teachers returned to school to prepare for the start of the school year next week. Unfortunately, some were greeted with hateful messages and political language spray-painted around campus.
Graffiti featuring antisemitic language, swastikas and slurs targeting the LGBTQ+ community were found on four school campuses. The schools targeted by vandals were Churchill and Wootton High Schools and Fallsmead and Strathmore Elementary Schools.
In an email to parents and a message to the community, MCPS leaders called the graffiti “politically charged.” This comes on the heels of similar incidents last week at and near Bethesda Elementary School and Congregation Beth El.
One incident might be shocking, but the repetition of these acts is a serious problem. People are entitled to their opinions, and there is no lack of places to express them, but defacing property and targeting schools and houses of worship is not acceptable.
Since Oct. 7, we have seen a number of incidents targeting Jewish, Muslim and other communities. While graffiti is the most common incident, we have received reports of harassment, aggressive and hateful language targeted at protesters, and even reported assault. None of these incidents are acceptable, and we will not tolerate hate targeted at any community.
It is especially troubling that many of these messages are targeted at young people, who we already know are struggling in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the social/emotional challenges that it created. Inciting hate doesn’t help.
It is especially troubling that many of these messages are targeted at young people, who we already know are struggling in the aftermath of COVID-19 and the social/emotional challenges that it created. Inciting hate doesn’t help.
This is a challenging time for our diverse communities, and it is more important than ever that we come together and stand in solidarity against hateful messages and graffiti. One positive example of this is an interfaith letter written by Rabbi Greg Harris of Congregation Beth El asking everyone to come together and stand in solidarity against such acts. Since Wednesday this letter has already gained 90 signatures, representing a wide range of our diverse faith communities. In a time of such division, it is inspiring to see so many communities standing together and finding common ground.
I would like to thank Rabbi Greg Harris and Congregation Beth El for turning a negative situation into a positive example of building bridges, and I would like to thank all the faith leaders and communities who have come together to sign this letter. It's not too late to sign on to this letter, and I would encourage all faith leaders and houses of worship to also add their name in solidarity. You can view the letter at Interfaith Response to Vandalism.
All hate incidents and graffiti should be reported to the Montgomery County Police Department’s non-emergency line at 301-279-8000. A monthly summary of hate/bias crimes is provided by the Montgomery County Police Department. You can find those summaries here.
These are disturbing acts that seek to divide our community. There is nothing to be gained by doing this, other than to inflame the current situation and turn neighbor against neighbor. This is not who we are.
Hate has no home in Montgomery County.
International Overdose Awareness Day
Next Thursday we honor the lives lost to overdose in observation of International Overdose Awareness Day, recognized globally on Aug. 31. In the last several years, we’ve seen an increase in overdose deaths with the highest to date in 2021. Last year we saw a spike in youth overdoses and elevated concern in our community from families desperate for answers.
There have been many community conversations about the risks of substance use since then, and thankfully, we are seeing a decrease in lives lost to overdose so far in 2024. Many people now understand how addictive and deadly it can be. You can also turn to KnowTheRisksMC.org for information.
In addition to increasing education, we have been able to share Narcan with more communities and people. The overdose reversal drug has helped save lives, yet opioids and fentanyl remain dangerous.
I hope you can attend this year’s event to remember those who lost their lives to overdose, encourage support and recovery for everyone impacted by substance use and overdose and renew our commitment to end overdose and related harms. Please join us on Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Executive Office Building in Rockville. It will start with a resource fair at 5 p.m., followed by the Montgomery Goes Purple launch of National Recovery Month event at 6 p.m., and a candlelight ceremony vigil at 7:30 p.m.
Montgomery County can connect families looking for help. Call the ACCESS Team at 240-777-1770 if you need help finding a treatment program. The Montgomery County Crisis Center is available 24/7 at 240-777-4000. You can also learn more about Recovery Month, an international observance to celebrate recovery and encourage individuals with a mental health or substance use disorder to seek recovery, by visiting montgomerygoespurple.org.
Reflections on the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) Conference
Last week, I was in Ocean City for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) summer conference. Among the topics the conference focused on were child care, Medicaid and K-12 education. There was also a lot of discussion and sessions regarding the impact of AI on local governance. Several of our County employees were on panels and initiatives led by our employees were spotlighted, such as the Montgomery County Police Department’s Drone as First Responder program.
On the final day of the conference, we heard from Maryland Governor Wes Moore. You can read that speech here. I appreciated the Governor’s candor about the challenges we face and his optimism that Maryland will continue to prevail.
He understands how addressing social issues gives everyone a better opportunity to succeed. I appreciate the Governor's understanding that Maryland must be a leader in public education and that working with the counties is going to be important.
Solving the State's revenue issues will be central to achieving this, and the Governor was also very clear that the State is facing structural budget and revenue challenges.
At MACo, I took every opportunity to share my thoughts with other county and state leaders about tax reforms, more local tax autonomy and a progressive tax rate – all things that can be done while reducing the tax burden on most residents as well as enabling us to build the infrastructure we need to support and foster economic growth. This is a path that northern Virginia took years ago to great success.
I look forward to continuing these conversations with state and county leaders, as well as our residents, over the coming months before the 2025 General Assembly Session.
MCPS Begins 2024-2025 School Year Next Week
School begins Monday, Aug. 26. MCPS families are welcomed at the Back-to-School Fair tomorrow - Saturday, Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westfield Wheaton Mall.
The event is an opportunity to learn about the school system, County programs and services that help families. It will also feature a free immunization clinic, music and give aways. There are free shuttles to the event from six area high schools: Gaithersburg, Richard Montgomery, Montgomery Blair, Paint Branch, John F. Kennedy and Wheaton high schools.
As schools begin next week, it is also important for all motorists to be mindful and aware of children walking to schools and at bus stops, as well the laws when driving around a school bus. Remember, if a school bus has its blinking red lights on, you cannot pass the bus nor travel in an opposing lane. All MCPS school buses are equipped with cameras, and you will be ticketed if you illegally pass a stopped bus that is picking up or dropping off children.
I want to wish all students, teachers, and support staff, including new MCPS superintendent, Dr. Thomas Taylor, a happy, safe and productive 2024-2025 school year.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
