SAN ANTONIO -- A city councilman is trying to crack down on crimes against the elderly.
Councilman David Medina has been meeting with seniors to talk about creating a law requiring background checks for home care providers.
The police department started a new crime unit to help seniors earlier this year. Wednesday, Councilman Medina talked about a personal story of a woman who was killed and why he wants to create a new ordinance.
"This person was a friend," Medina said. "This person was someone I knew for many years."
Councilman Medina is talking about Elma Sartuche. On Valentine's Day, police say the elderly woman was stabbed to death at her West Side home. Investigators charged her home care provider with murder.
At a District 5 senior center, Councilman Medina talked about creating a new ordinance requiring background checks for independent home health care workers. The goal is to help protect seniors from theft or threats to their lives.
"You take them to the bank, you give them information," one home health care worker told us. "Sometimes I sign her checks."
Home health care provider Rita Martinez said seniors are vulnerable, and background checks are necessary, no matter how well you think you might know someone.
Councilman Medina could not say for sure when the proposed ordinance will come up on the agenda, but he hopes it's something council can discuss before the end of the year.
