Calls for service, crime, victims all are changing. The three organizations agreed that police chiefs, sheriffs, and older leaders, and those who work with seniors, working together, could devise better ways to reduce crime against the elderly and enhance law enforcement services to older citizens. This, they believe, is the community policing providing better service to a population which appreciates, respects and support law enforcement. The S.A.L.T. Council acts as an advocacy advisory group and provides a forum for the exchange of information between seniors and law enforcement. Council members are selected and invited by the chief of police, the sheriff and someone representing older citizens- an energetic, knowledgeable senior or someone from the Agency on Aging, AARP, RSVP, ministerial association, etc.
Council members can be a valuable source of input.
They can assist in determining the concerns of the community's older persons, assess the availability of existing programs for the elderly, and recommend additional strategies. The Council S.A.L.T. members may also take part in the crime prevention and victim's assistance portions of the Triad program and help identify potential volunteers to carry out Triad activities. Triad is a program involving law enforcement and older Americans. The focus is determined by both, assessing the needs of our community. Area with more serious crime problems may focus on crime prevention and victim assistance.