TRIAD~SALT

ABILENE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Crime Prevention Unit

Reducing Crime Against the Elderly

What Is A Triad?

Older Americans comprise the most rapidly growing segments of the population. One in every eight Americans is already age 65 or older. Increased life expectancy is leading to new issues and problems for the criminal justice system as most communities experience a dramatic increase in number of older persons. Calls for service, crimes, victims - all are changing.

The first Triad was signed in 1988 by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the International Associations of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA). This agreement enabled these three agencies to work together to reduce both criminal victimization and unwarranted fear of crime affecting older persons.

On August 19, 1997, The Triad of Taylor County was officially formed. Texas Attorney General Dan Morales joined with local law enforcement and senior groups to sign this document that will enhance delivery of law enforcement services to Senior Texans.

What Will Our Triad Do?

As we now know, Triad is a way to involve law enforcement and older Texans. The focus is determined by both, assessing the needs of any particular community.

Our goal is to Educate, Assist, Emphasize, Communicate and Involve

Some possible areas of action might include:

Crime Prevention programs for older Texans

Information booths at civic functions

Expanded involvement in Neighborhood Watch

FREE Home security inspections and information

Personal safety tips

Knowledge of current frauds and scams

Ideas for coping with telephone solicitations and door-to-door salesmen

Training for deputies and officers in communicating with and assisting older persons.

What Will Result?

Reduced criminal victimization of older persons.

Improved quality of life for older residents of the community.

Greater involvement of the community in implementing solutions.

Focused attention to the crime-related needs and concerns of older persons.

Enhanced delivery of law enforcement services to the elderly.

Seniors And Lawmen Together (S.A.L.T.)

Everyday, another Taylor County resident becomes the victim of a crime. We don't want this to happen to you. If you belong to a civic group, church group, senior group (large or small) or homeowner that would like more information, please give us a call. We have a variety of useful information that can help you.

Programs on basic crime prevention

Neighborhood Watch Programs

Personal Safety Programs for Work, Home and Shopping

Information on making your home more resistant to crime.

Home Safety Programs

Videos that cover a wide range of topics

Plus, we can customize a program to fit your organization or business needs.

Helpful Links

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping older Americans achieve lives of independence, dignity and purpose.

The Alzheimer's Association is a source for information, support and assistance on issues related to Alzheimer's disease.

The Administration on Aging has information about programs for the elderly, resources for practitioners who serve the aged, statistical information on the aging, and information for consumers (older persons and their families) including how to obtain services for senior citizens and electronic booklets on aging-related issues. It also includes extensive links to other aging related Web resources.

The American Bar Association Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly is dedicated to examining the law-related concerns of older persons.

The National Senior Citizens Law Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that conducts a wide range of advocacy on behalf of low-income senior citizens.

For More Information, contact:

Taylor County Sheriff's Department

674-1300

Abilene Police Department

Community Services Division 676-6520