The program is a partnership between the Rock Island Police Department and the citizens of Rock Island who are 60 years of age or older. The Elderly Service program is designed to work with senior citizens to create permanent solutions to problems, thereby enhancing the quality of life for senior citizens in the community or neighborhood. The program was implemented to provide law enforcement with a tool to better connect with the elderly population. Today's culture is deeply elderly phobic. People have a fear of the aging process and a prejudice against the old that clouds their perceptions about what it means to grow old in America.
Senior citizens are the fastest growing segment in America today.
With continuing improvements in life styles and medical technology, we are living longer and healthier. The down side is, as we live longer we may be more likely to become a victim of crime. Problems of crime, fear and apathy toward crime, social disorder, family decay, neighborhood decay, and quality of life issues are some of the issues addressed by the program. The Elderly Service Officer is the advocate for the senior citizens of the City of Rock Island.