It focuses on reducing unwarranted fear of crime and improving the quality of life for seniors. Older Americans comprise the most rapidly growing segment of the population. 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. The Three national organizations agreed that police chiefs, sheriffs, older leaders, and those who work with seniors, working together, could devise better ways to reduce crimes against the elderly and enhance law enforcement services to older citizens. This, they believe, is true community policing, providing better service to a population which appreciates, respects, and supports law enforcement.
Council members can be valuable source of input.
They can assist in determining the concerns of the community's elderly persons, assess the availability of existing services and programs for the elderly, and recommend additional strategies. S.A.L.T. Council members may also take part in the crime prevention and victim assistance portions of the Triad program, and help to identify potential volunteers to carry out Triad activities. Triad is a way to involve law enforcement and older Americans. The focus is determined by both, assessing the needs of the particular community. Areas with more serious crime problems may focus on crime prevention and victim assistance.