Older Americans comprise the most rapidly growing segments of the population. In crease 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 organizations agreed that police chiefs, sheriffs, and 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 the community policing, providing better service to a population which appreciates, respects, and supports 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. Triad is a program involving law enforcement and older Americans. The focus is determined by both, assessing the needs of our community. Areas with more serious crime problems may focus on crime prevention and victim assistance. Areas where older persons are not often targets for crime may decide to concentrate on reassurance programs, training for law enforcement, and involving volunteers within law enforcement agencies.