Rep. Arata 4/12 Update

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families.  During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness strategies and activities, and promote prevention across the country.
 
The presence of a safe and healthy home in a child's life is one of the protective factors that reduce the risk for neglect and abuse and promote optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families, including concrete supports in times of need, having social connections in the community, and understanding the physical and emotional development of children and youth.  The Maine Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the value of these community-based supports for families and has invested in the child abuse prevention network through statutory responsibility of the Maine Children's Trust and the local councils.  This investment encompasses the provision of parenting education, safe sleep instruction, and shaken baby syndrome awareness and prevention.
 
The 10 Child Abuse and Neglect Councils located across the State will host events in their local communities during the month of April.  For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities in your community during the month of April and throughout the year, visit the Maine Children's Trust here.
 

State Publishes Anti-Scam Guide for Consumers Buying Homes

In response to a growing number of scams affecting consumers purchasing houses, the State’s Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection announced the release of a new consumer publication in its “Downeaster” series titled, New Homeowner Anti-Scam Advisor.

“Mainers who are in the midst of the mortgage application process, those who are approaching their closing date, and those who have just moved into their new homes are all attractive targets for scam artists,” said David Leach, principal examiner at the Bureau and primary author of the booklet.  “The newest and potentially most costly of these scams occurs when consumers about to close on homes receive e-mail instructions changing the money-wiring instructions for down payments or even entire purchase prices, when those instructions are sent by dishonest individuals who have hacked into the e-mail systems of real estate brokers, closing agents, or lenders.”

“Unless the falsified wiring instructions are discovered and canceled before funds are sent, monies re-directed to fraudulent recipients may be lost forever,” said Leach.  In one such recent case in Maine, payment was stopped shortly before the funds were wired to a European location.

The booklet, which is available online at www.Credit.Maine.gov or free in printed form for Maine residents who call 1-800-332-8529, addresses additional scams affecting soon-to-be and new homeowners, including the door-to-door home improvement scam, the transient-contractor driveway paving scam, the fly-by-night roofing scam, the “Sorry I missed you” door hanger ID theft scam, and mortgage modification/foreclosure rescue scams.

With respect to the closing funds redirection scam, Leach said, “Last-minute e-mails instructing consumers where their down payment funds should be sent or notice of surprise additional fees for items already paid for are hallmarks of scam operators.  This new publication gives Mainers the skill-sets necessary to recognize a variety of new homeowner scams and stop the scammers before they separate consumers from their funds.”

Online versions of the new guide, and all other Downeaster Common Sense financial publications, can be found at www.Credit.Maine.gov by clicking “Publications”.  Copies can also be ordered by calling the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at 1-800-332-8529 (toll-free in Maine) or 624-8527.

Several States Report a Spike in Drivers Crashing Into Police

A Reminder to Everyone to Move Over

Several states are reporting an increase in drivers failing to move over and crashing into emergency responders.

In Illinois, drivers hit 15 State Police troopers or vehicles while the officers were stopped along a road with their lights flashing in the first three months of 2019.  This is nearly double the number of such crashes ISP had in all of 2018.  In two of the recent crashes, two Troopers died.

State Police in Michigan report that they had, on average, four crashes every month from January 1, 2016 until February 13 of this year when an expanded Move Over law took effect.

MOVE OVER:  IT’S THE LAW EVERYWHERE

Every state has a law requiring you to slow down and, when possible, move over if you see flashing lights on the side of the road.  Clearly, not all drivers are following the law.  Of 47 law enforcement officers killed in traffic-related incidents in 2017, the most recent year for which data is available, nine officers were struck and killed outside their vehicles.  Traffic-related incidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death among on-duty law enforcement officers.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

If you see an emergency vehicle stopped along a roadway with flashing lights:

• immediately slow down;
• move over if you can safely do so; and
• switch to a lane that is not immediately next to the emergency vehicle, if possible.

Help spread the word among your family, friends, and on social media, #MoveOver.

Prevent More Police Crashes by Moving Over

Remembering Detective Ben Campbell

Moose Lottery

Maine’s Moose Lottery is just around the corner!  The deadline to submit an application is 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2019.
 
You can enter the lottery online by clicking here.
 
To complete the online application you will need:

• a current hunting license if you are applying with a Superpack license;
• personal information (name, address, DOB, etc.);
• sub-permittee information (if applicable); and
• a credit or debit card (Discover, Visa, and MasterCard accepted).

This year, the annual moose lottery drawing will be held at Cabela’s in Scarborough, ME on June 8, 2019.