Lesson on uniform awareness

Models with fashion authority took to the runway in Broken Arrow Friday. These were no ordinary models; they were employees of ONG, Cox Cable and various police agencies. <br><br>News on Six crime reporter

Friday, March 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Models with fashion authority took to the runway in Broken Arrow Friday. These were no ordinary models; they were employees of ONG, Cox Cable and various police agencies.

News on Six crime reporter Lori Fullbright says the idea was to educate senior citizens about which uniforms are the real deal. Emcee: "Public works, city emblem on top." It might seem funny to see your average utility worker strut down a runway lined by street barricades, but strut they did.

23 agencies modeled their uniforms for senior citizens as a way to help them learn how to protect themselves from scam artists. Lisa Ford with BAPD Crime Prevention: "They're really trusting and they see someone in a uniform and they open the door and we just want them to think about double checking." Emcee: "The shirt is dark green with army pink epaulets and stripes with a police patch on one side and the American flag on the other sleeve."

Officers from Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Coweta and the Sheriff's Office took their turns on stage, some a bit shy, but all willing to help make seniors safer, and the seniors appreciated it. Senior, Patricia Coleman, "The models did a nice job and it'll help me know when someone comes to the door.â€ Senior, Virgina Kuehl, "I live in a rural area and have a gate, so anyone who comes to my door must go through a dog." Senior, Betty Pentecost, "I really liked the motorcycle officer. (ha ha ha ha)â€ Despite the beefcake, the lesson was clear, don't open your door to strangers and get plenty of information before letting anyone inside.

Lisa Ford, "You can talk through the door, seniors think that's rude, but, it's okay to be rude, and call and find out they're supposed to be out there." The idea is not for seniors to be paranoid but prepared to keep themselves and their homes safe.

Again, here's what you should do if someone shows up at your door. Don't open the door, instead talk through it. Make sure they have a photo ID and ask for a number you can call to confirm they have legitimate business.

Never pretend you're not home, burglars often look for empty houses, walk loudly or turn up the TV in order to let them know someone is inside.