What is a TRIAD?
A TRIAD is a partnership which involves Senior Citizens, Law Enforcement Agencies (Sheriff / Police / District Attorney) and Support / Protective Services (Councils on Aging / Elder Services / Clergy, etc.) who agree to work together. Their primary goals are to reduce the criminal victimization of older citizens and enhance the delivery of services to this population. TRIAD provides the opportunity for an exchange of information between law enforcement, support services and senior citizens. It focuses on reducing unwarranted fear of crime and improving the quality of life for seniors. A TRIAD is tailored to meet the needs of each community and can be an integral part of community policing.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 118
Sherman,
IL 62684
Why is TRIAD Necessary?
Older Americans comprise the most rapidly growing segment of the population. One in every eight Americans is already age 65 or older, a total of more than 33.6 million. Increased life expectancy is leading to new issues and problems for the criminal justice system as most communities experience a dramatic increase in the number of older persons. Calls for services, crimes, victims are all changing.
How Did TRIAD Get Started?
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) signed a cooperative agreement to work together to reduce both criminal victimization and unwarranted fear of crime affecting older persons. The three national organizations agreed that Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and Senior Citizens, working together could devise better ways to reduce crimes against the elderly and enhance law enforcements services to older citizens. This, they believe, is true community policing, providing better service to a population, which appreciates, respects and supports law enforcement.
What Can TRIAD Do?
A TRIAD assesses the needs of its community. Areas with serious crime problems may focus initially in the areas of crime prevention and victim assistance. Where older persons are not often targets of crime, the TRIAD may decide to concentrate on reassurance programs, training for law enforcement and involving volunteers within the law enforcement agencies. The TRIAD plans actives and programs to involve and benefit both law enforcement and seniors. TRIAD sponsored actives can include but are not limited to:
- How to avoid criminal victimization
- Increased involvement in Neighborhood Watch
- Home security information and inspections
- Timely information of current frauds and scams
- How to cope with telephone solicitations and door to door sales
- Elder abuse prevention, recognition and reporting
- Training for law enforcement in communicating with and assisting older persons
- Adopt-a-senior visits for shut-ins
- Intergenerational projects beneficial to seniors and youth
- Emergency preparedness plans by and for seniors
- Victim assistance by and for seniors
- Safe shopping days
- File for Life (Emergency medical information cards)
- Mature volunteers within law enforcement agencies
- Speakers bureau available to the community
- "Is your number up" (House Numbering)
2021 TRIAD Conference Highlights
Firearms Restraining Order: Empowering Law Enforcement and Families to Prevent Gun Violence by Attorney General Kwame Raoul
Please read this press release.
