By County program on elder abuse

Santa Clara County launched a new program this month to crack down on elder abuse. Fifteen local law enforcement agencies, including Los Altos and Mountain View, plan to participate in the “Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Protocol.” The program calls for stricter investigation and prosecution of incidents involving elder and dependent adults, including homicide, sexual and physical abuse, neglect, isolation, abandonment, abduction and financial abuse.

The program comes after an increase in the number of abuse cases in Santa Clara County, according to District attorney George Kennedy. Those who suspect abuse, may call Adult Protective Services at (800) 414-2002.

Los Altos

‘Hostage’ equipment added to police dept.

The Los Altos City Council agreed to allocate $11,605 to the police department to beef up its hostage negotiation equipment. The new equipment will include video and audio monitoring systems to monitor the movements and locations of barricaded suspects.

A Federal Law Enforcement Block Grant will fund half of the $23,210 negotiation package. The city will pay the remaining cost from the city’s operating reserve.

State

State secretary to run for governor in 2002

Peninsula

Less than two weeks after a March 8 press conference in Los Altos, California Secretary of State Bill Jones publicly announced that he will run for state governor in the 2002 election. Jones said he plans to focus his campaign on three key issues: infrastructure, education and jobs.

-Town Crier Staff Report