THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506220207
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Be careful when you put an obituary in the newspaper.
Someone may call you, saying that your deceased spouse had ordered Bibles or other books, and that you owe $75. Or your home may be burglarized during the funeral.
Seniors, especially, are easy prey for criminals. They are more apt to fall victim to telemarketing scams and bank frauds than other age groups and also suffer from muggings, property crimes and violent attacks.
With the population aging so rapidly - one in eight Americans is 65 or older - the concern with crimes against the elderly is rising as well. That's why three different organizations have formed a senior advisory council called S.A.L.T., Seniors and Lawmen Together. It's also a triad, a program where the Sheriff's Office, Police Department and local American Association of Retired Persons leaders combine forces.
Sgt. Sam J. Lewis Jr. of the 3rd Precinct's Community Policing Team, is representing the Police Department in this triad. It's the only one in the Hampton Roads area and the seventh one in the state.
``This is needed because we have not had a great percentage of our population comprised of seniors until recently,'' said Lewis, a burly, 25-year veteran of the force. ``That population has grown tremendously. This council and triad is an attempt to reduce victimization of seniors.''
The new council will try to achieve its goals through several programs, including crime prevention and personal safety tips seminars, expanded Neighborhood Watch, and additional training for law enforcement officers. Other programs they're looking into are telephone call-ins by and for seniors, adopt-a-senior visits, elder abuse prevention, training in how to cope with telephone solicitations and door-to-door salesmen and seniors volunteering within law enforcement agencies.
There will be an executive S.A.L.T. council of a dozen members but the entire council can consist of several hundred people.
AARP district director Gordon Morton, who will serve on the executive council, is excited to see this triad come to life.
``Seniors are more trusting. They believe everybody is true and honest,'' said Morton. ``Today's ethics are different. Education is very important.''
The idea of a triad is nothing new. In 1988 three national organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff's Association and the AARP signed the first triad. Terri Hicks, triad administrative assistant at the sheriff's association, said 180 local triads have been formed across the country and 22 states have signed triad agreements since then.
``We get hundreds of requests a week for information on triads,'' Hicks said from the Alexandria headquarters. ``We have seen such tremendous growth of interest and excitement in triads. It's a win-win situation for everyone.''
Hicks could cite no statistics of crimes against the elderly because seniors are notorious for under-reporting crimes. Especially if they've been victims of frauds or scams - they're afraid of reprisal or are humiliated that they were conned.
``Seniors are also crippled by a fear of crime as well,'' said Hicks. ``One of the things that triad does is a survey of seniors in communities to find concerns. A lot of times seniors will find that their fears are completely unwarranted.''
But not if they live in the Washington metropolitan area, according to Lee Pearson, assistant manager at AARP Criminal Justice Services there. Pearson was in a group that developed the first triad and said that it's an ``idea whose time has come.
``Most of the time seniors keep themselves imprisoned. We don't put ourselves at risk,'' said Pearson. ``We don't go to prayer meetings, movies, bridge clubs, anyplace at night. The triad is bringing the problem (of elderly victimization) to public attention. I know it's working. It's going great guns all over the United States.'' MEMO: If you are interested in becoming a member of the S.A.L.T. council,
contact Master Police Officer David Matson, crime prevention
representative from the 3rd Precinct, at 464-9361. Or call Gordon Morton
at 420-1788. Meetings will be held monthly at various locations. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Gordon Morton of the AARP and Police Sgt. Sam J. Lewis Jr. are
members of S.A.L.T., Seniors and Lawmen Together.
by CNB