Kamena has launched what she is calling a Rapid Response Team that will work to provide early protection for Marin seniors from abuse, scams and fraud.

Elder abuse is a reality in Marin, where nearly 14 percent of the population or 33,432 residents is over age 65, according to the 2000 census.

Kamena's office, local police agencies and the county Adult Protective Services have created a team approach aimed at intervention and protection of the elderly victim, their person and their assets.

The "rapid response" will be a 24 hour answer to reports of physical and financial abuse to determine whether the elderly victim is facing imminent loss of assets or if they are in danger. It provides local police with a "think tank" of experts in assessing and dealing with such issues, Kamena says.

The goal of the new program, says Assistant District Attorney Ed Berberian, is to protect the victim while the investigation is underway.

This effort should dovetail with community wide measures, such as those launched by the Novato-based Elder Financial Protection Network, aimed at detecting and alerting authorities of possible senior abuse.

Kamena should report regularly on the work the team is doing because greater public awareness is an effective preventive weapon.

The possibility of elderly residents, some dealing with mental and physical frailties, becoming easy prey for scam artists or victims of abuse, is very real and very frightening.

By having a well trained team ready to respond quickly and effectively to offer protection to a reported victim, the potential extent of the abuse and loss could possibly best stemmed.

The creation of Marin's Rapid Response Team is a response to a real and tragic problem in our community.