DA 'AWARE' ELDERS BILKED! MORE TAX DOLLARS TO BE AWARE HARDER!

It's June, which means it's time for Santa Barbara County's District Attorney and Chief Investigator to issue a solemnly worded press release about 'Elder Abuse Awareness Month,' as helpfully amplified by the diligent scribes at Edhat. Just in case you weren't aware that abusing elders is, in fact, bad. We're told these 'scams are not rare' and are a 'growing threat.' Groundbreaking insight, truly. One wonders what startling revelation next month will bring – perhaps 'Gravity Awareness Quarter' where we learn things fall down?

While the DA's office is busy being 'aware,' one might politely ask what exactly all this 'awareness' actually accomplishes, beyond, of course, justifying another line item in the budget and a self-congratulatory pat on the back. It's a classic case of bureaucratic theater: declare a problem, acknowledge its existence with great ceremony, and then… well, at least you've raised 'awareness!' Perhaps victims would prefer actual, tangible protection or prosecution of perpetrators over a well-meaning but ultimately toothless campaign to tell everyone what they already know.

Indeed, if elder abuse is such a 'growing threat,' perhaps more resources should go to, say, actual investigations and swift justice, rather than carefully worded statements drafted by taxpayer-funded communications specialists. But that would require *doing* something, not just *recognizing* something. And as any good government official knows, 'awareness' is much cheaper and far less complicated than robust enforcement or innovative solutions. So, sleep well, Santa Barbara, knowing your DA is acutely aware of the problem. Your aging parents? They're on their own, but at least the DA is aware of it.

One can't help but cynically note that these 'awareness' campaigns often conveniently precede grant applications or budget requests, allowing officials to demonstrate their proactive stance without actually disrupting the status quo. It's the political equivalent of putting a 'wet paint' sign on a wall that's been dry for a week. The real story here isn't the 'awareness,' it's the lack of accountability for concrete results and the perpetual motion machine of bureaucratic self-preservation, all under the guise of public service. Meanwhile, the scammers are, no doubt, very aware of how little resistance they face.