Pierce County team works to prevent senior abuse

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Pierce County Prosecutor's Office is working to prevent and reduce crime targeting elderly victims.

The News Tribune reports (http://goo.gl/gKxtMQ) that the office has organized a team that specializes in the physical and financial abuse of seniors. Deputy prosecutors are working with police and Adult Protective Services to train hundreds of officers on how to investigate and identity the abuse.

The team's efforts have been supported by a nearly $371,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The prosecutor's office was one of nine agencies to receive the award, which goes toward getting more agencies involved in combating senior abuse.

The Pierce County team prosecuted 70 cases of elder abuse in 2014.