[Vision2020] PSA: If You See Something, Know Something, or Suspect Something - SAY SOMETHING

[lfalen]

Thanks Saundra and Rose for your work on this important issue.
Roger



-----Original Message-----
From: "Saundra Lund" <v2020 at ssl1.fastmail.fm>
To: viz <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Cc: lrozen at dnews.com, alford at lmtribune.com, drokyta at dnews.com
Date: 07/26/14 11:58
Subject: [Vision2020] PSA:  If You See Something, Know Something, or Suspect Something - SAY SOMETHING

 Visionaries,
 
As those who've read V2020 and local news recently are aware, there was a tragedy of nightmare proportions that happened in our community in November, 2013 when Lee Pohrman, a vulnerable adult who had served our country, died following
prolonged malnutrition while allegedly in the "care" of two alleged human beings.  During Mr. Pohrman's time in hell in the alleged "care" of the accused, the accused allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars from this veteran in addition to allegedly stealing over ten thousand dollars in public assistance from we-the-taxpayers.  Frankly, we don't give a rip about the alleged welfare fraud in this instance, but we do care deeply that Mr. Pohrman's life was stolen from him.
 
One would hope the tragic details -- including exactly how a veteran came to be in the care of the accused, one of whom was a convicted felon apparently under the supervision of a probation officer  -- of the reported horror of Mr. Pohrman's final months of life will see the light of day in court and that all those responsible -- whether those currently accused and/or others -- will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Given that no charges have been filed for Mr. Pohrman’s actual death, forgive our lack of faith.  Nothing would make us happier than to be proven wrong.
 
In any case . . .
 
Most of us have probably seen a lot of coverage about the importance of reporting child and domestic abuse when we see or suspect it, and there's been an increasing awareness about the importance of taking animal abuse seriously, particularly since people who abuse animals often also abuse domestic partners and children.
 
However, we need to be just as vigilant about keeping our eyes open for the abuse of vulnerable adults like Mr. Pohrman.  Following Mr. Pohrman's tragic and unnecessary death, we hope local media will take the opportunity to raise public awareness to hopefully prevent such a horrendous tragedy from ever again happening in our community.
 
While Rose and I are aware there are resources available for those who have concerns about situations vulnerable adults may be in, perhaps that's not something everyone knows.  Just as we have Child Protective Services, we also have Adult Protective Services.  To learn more about Adult Protective Services (APS) in Idaho, please check out the following link:
http://www.idahoaging.com/protection/index.html
 
On that page, there is a pop-up link to locate the appropriate agency for different regions in the state.  Please be aware that your confidentiality (except when otherwise ordered by a court) is protected when contacting APS.  You can also find other helpful information at the above link.
 
Additionally, one can always contact local law enforcement via 911 to request a welfare check when one has emergency concerns.
 
Reportedly, one of the accused had made comments to others about Mr. Pohrman's alleged refusal to allow himself to be helped:
"But I can't force him to do anything and that's what I tried to explain to most people. If he's not going to be willing to let me help him, then there's nothing I can do about it."
 
Had even one of those "most" people made a call to APS or local law enforcement to express concern, Mr. Pohrman wouldn't have died in such wretched conditions.
 
Please spread the word that that APS exists to take reports and investigate whenever anyone has concerns about the circumstances of a vulnerable adult.  It's far, far, far better to err on the side of safety than to ignore concerns -- someone's life may depend on it.  Mr. Pohrman's life certainly depended on it.
 
If you see something, know something, or even suspect something , SAY SOMETHING.  It's what you'd want someone to do for YOUR loved one.
 
Mr. Pohrman, RIP.  We're deeply, deeply sorry our community failed you.
 
 
Saundra Lund                    Rosemary Huskey
Moscow, ID                        Moscow, ID
 
 
To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards out of men.
~ Abraham Lincoln
 
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