| Triad:
A New Force in Crime Prevention for Seniors |
| News Item: "A D.C. arbitration panel ruled yesterday that
First Union Brokerage Services in Richmond and a former First
Union vice president must pay $3.6 million to an elderly couple
who were allegedly defrauded of their life savings by the
bank officer, who served as the couple's financial advisor."
(Washington Post, page A9, March 14, 2002.) |
| This is not an unusual news item. It seems that a day doesn't
go by without a reported crime affecting the health and safety
of older persons. No wonder many seniors are afraid to go
out alone at night in fear of being mugged, having their purse
stolen or taking a hit from a sleazy con artist, like the
one reported above. |
| The vulnerability of seniors isn't new, and unfortunately
the problem been getting more severe as the senior population
increases and more and more elderly are warehoused in nursing
homes or living alone, isolated from the love and care of
extended families. |
| But we seniors can take heart. I'm happy to report that
the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has felt our pain
and has declared war against the evil-doers. Established in
Fairfax County in 1997, Triad is expanding as a weapon to
fight crimes against seniors. |
| I learned all about the Fairfax Triad a couple of weeks
ago when I was invited by Hunter Mill District Supervisor
Cathy Hudgins to join the newly formed Reston-Herndon Triad.
In line with her deep-rooted concern about senior issues,
Supervisor Hudgins invited representatives from Fairfax County's
police and sheriff departments, AARP, Reston Hospital and
the Reston Community Center to work with seniors as a team
to reduce criminal victimization of the elderly. |
| In addition, there is a whole array of other support groups,
including Adult Protective Services, Fire and Rescue, George
Mason University Police, Victim Services Section and the Virginia
State Police. |
| At our meeting, Don Fatherree, a retired captain in the
Sheriff's Department, and an early Triad pioneer, explained
that Triad has three components: seniors, community leaders
and law enforcement officials. It began in 1988 and has grown
to be an international program with more than 600 chapters
in the USA, Canada and England. |
| "Triad is essentially a philosophy," he explained. "Its
purpose is to develop, expand and implement effective crime
prevention and education programs for older community members.
It does this largely through neighborhood advisor councils
named Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, which go by the
acronym SALT." |
| Judith Lieberman, a spry 82-year-old Clifton resident whose
credo is to stay active, is co-chairman for Fairfax County's
Triad. She describes SALT as the engine that drives Triad.
This is where seniors, as members of the local SALT Councils,
plan and implement Triad programs. Typically, a SALT Council
conducts a survey of the area's seniors to determine what
their major concerns are. Surprisingly, a recent survey of
1,000 seniors revealed their primary concerns were road rage,
followed by personal safety issues, both at home and while
in their neighborhoods. |
| Using this information, the SALT team develops a program
aimed specifically at those concerns. SALT members then meet
with senior groups to teach them how to avoid becoming victims
of scams, frauds and telemarketing rip-offs. |
| Lieberman is especially proud of their eight-hour class
that was developed for law enforcement officers at the police
academy. The purpose is to familiarize young police officers
with the many differences between themselves and seniors.
|
| The emphasis is on improving communication and listening
skills and giving officers a better understanding of older
peoples' physical limitations. It's hoped that this training
and Triad's interchange between seniors and police officers
will encourage more understanding and foster better relationships
between seniors and police. |
| After our meeting, I met with Master Police Officer Robin
Jones of the Crime Prevention Unit and a member of the Reston-Herndon
SALT Council. The purpose was to arrange for a security assessment
of the condo in which I live. The following week Officer Jones
walked the site in the dark at 5 a.m. to check the exterior
lighting. |
| I was thankful she did this by herself at this hour, and
then returned at 10 a.m. for a two-hour walk-through of the
building. This is to be followed by her written report with
observations and recommendations for improving security. |
| This is a free service offered by professionally trained
officers as part of the police department's efforts to prevent
crime. Among its other tasks, the Crime Prevention Unit also
helps communities establish Neighborhood Watch programs, which
enable residents to join together to make their homes and
communities more secure. |
| I can personally attest to the effectiveness and responsiveness
of Triad. At this time of tax preparation, I can tell critics
of public service, that our tax dollars are well spent. In
the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we owe our public
defenders, dedicated men and women, a strong vote of thanks
for putting their lives on the line for us. |
| If Triad is to succeed, it's up to us seniors to join the
law enforcement officers and community leaders, and become
the third component of Triad. In doing so, we will not only
benefit ourselves but also make our communities a better place
to live. |
| To become an active partner in the Reston-Herndon SALT Council,
come to the next meeting on April 10, 1:30 p.m., to be held
in the meeting room of the Reston Police substation. It's
located at 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, just down the street
from the Reston Regional Library and across the street from
the Inova Cameron Glen Care Center. |
| If you need more information, don't hesitate to phone Judith
Lieberman at 703-246-4072, or Robert Gehring, temporary SALT
chairman, at 703-264-0186. |
| Senior Moments: |
| May has been designated by President Bush as Older Americans
Month to honor the contributions of senior citizens. Here
are a few upcoming special events: |
| "Hats Off to Seniors": Celebrate Older Americans Month with
Big Band music, entertainment and great food. May 18, 4:30
to 7 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza. Call Reston Association at 703-437-9580. |
| Ms. Virginia Senior America Pageant 2002: Come join this
annual gala on May 25 to honor women 60 and older who have
reached the "Age of Elegance." Contact Pinky O'Neill at 703-689-9000. |
| Senior Leisure and Fitness Fair: Demonstrations of exercise
and relaxation techniques, healthy cooking, and fitness and
health evaluations. The event is co-sponsored by the Reston
Community Center and Reston Hospital on May 15 from 11:30
to 3 at Hunters Woods. Call 703-476-4500. |
