50+ Lifestyles

News from Seniors And Law Enforcement Together (SALT)

By Kathy Horrell
CASI-Director of Senior Services

TRIAD– Helping Prevent Crimes Against Seniors What is TRIAD?

How many times have you received a phone call saying, “You’re A Winner!” ? Or received a check in the mail or an e-mail saying “you have thousands of dollars waiting for you and all you have to do is call and provide your personal information”?  It seems like every time we turn the corner someone is trying to scam us.  Unfortunately seniors are becoming the number one victims of this type of crime.

According to studies conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), 26 percent of the US population will at some point in their adult life become a victim of telemarketer fraud.  Every year, these victims, 57 percent of whom are over the age of 50, lose a total of $40 billion to telemarketing fraud alone, according to an AARP study.  But knowledge is power and learning how to stop a scam is key.  TRIAD is here to help.

TRIAD is a cooperative effort of Quad City law enforcement agencies, senior citizens, and senior organizations, focused on reducing crimes against our most vulnerable citizens:  our seniors.  Triad is a nationally recognized organization that is lead locally by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, City of Davenport and Bettendorf Police Departments and the Center For Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI).  The goal of TRIAD is to improve and enrich the quality of life for older adults by focusing and assessing the needs of the Quad City community.

The engine that drives TRIAD is the S.A.L.T. Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together). The SALT Council is where the action is! It is here where seniors and representatives from area law enforcement agencies and senior organizations put their talents together to create and implement programs and information tailored to the needs our senior community.  The council then matches these needs to the programs and services available and gets individuals connected as a way to increase their knowledge and prevent fraud.

The S.A.L.T advisory council plans activities and programs which involve and benefit both law enforcement and seniors.

Some Triads sponsor:
Crime prevention programs for older persons include:
•    Information on how to avoid criminal victimization
•    Expanded involvement in Neighborhood Watch
•    Home security information and inspections
•    Personal safety tips
•    Knowledge of current frauds and scams
•    Ideas for coping with telephone solicitations and door-to-door salesmen
•    Elder abuse prevention, recognition and reporting information
•    Emergency preparedness plans by and for seniors

Members of the SALT team are available to do community presentations and increase awareness to the latest scams taking place.  TRIAD/SALT continues to look for new opportunities to increase its community presence. The council meets the 4th Wednesday of each month, from 9:30-11am, at the Center For Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI), 1035 West Kimberly Road, Davenport.  If you would like to participate in these meeting or learn more about TRIAD/SALT, call CASI at 563-386-7477.