LEVY COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Levy County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday the launch of its “Let’s Have a Conversation” initiative, in which younger, more tech-savvy members of the community will volunteer to educate the less digital-literate members of the community in how to avoid online scams and other contemporary threats to security and finances.
“This is a community-driven campaign designed to bridge the generational gap and empower residents with the knowledge to recognize, prevent, and report fraud,” read the announcement, in part.
“By sharing knowledge, encouraging open dialogue, and learning from one another, we can strengthen awareness and help protect those who may be targeted by these crimes. Scammers rely on secrecy, urgency, fear, and confusion. We’re fighting back with education, communication, and community involvement.”
It’s no secret that most of the folks who get taken by online, phone and other modern cons are older or less versed in the latest digital and communications scams, for a variety of reasons. They may be retired and have never needed a computer to work, or just less interested in being as “very online” as younger generations. So it makes sense, then, that members of the community with a greater working knowledge of navigating these pitfalls could be a valuable resource in forewarning (and thus forearming) as many residents as possible.
The LCSO will be hosting informational classes at their headquarters at 9150 NE 80th Ave. in Bronson moving forward. Folks who would like to volunteer their time and expertise for the greater good can help schedule an event by contacting Captain James Anderson (352-486-5111, ext. 245 or janderson@levyso.com) or Detective Ryan Sullivan (352-486-5111, ext. 360 or rsullivan@levyso.com).