The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996                 TAG: 9604260184
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER       PAGE: 24   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   62 lines

GROUPS JOIN FORCES TO REDUCE CRIME AGAINST SENIOR CITIZENS

The city's senior citizens can rest easier now that a new agreement to reduce the criminal victimization of the elderly has been signed.

A program called Triad represents an agreement between the American Association of Retired Persons, local law enforcement agencies (police and sheriff's departments) and older or retired citizens to reduce crime against senior citizens.

Last week, about 450 seniors turned out for a seminar at the South Norfolk Community Center to learn about an increased commitment on the part of law enforcement to prevent crimes against the senior population. They watched as the mayor and law enforcement representatives signed the dotted line of the Triad contract.

``We wanted to have the signing at this seminar because we knew we'd have a lot of people,'' said Deputy Alon M. Holmes.

In December, Holmes and Deputy Wyndy L. Woods accompanied the sheriff to a Triad East Coast conference in Baltimore.

At the conference, they learned about seniors who had been targeted by telemarketing scams. As the result of a cooperative Triad effort, 400 telemarketing salespeople from 15 states were arrested. Trained retired volunteers aided authorities in the undercover FBI investigation, which lead to the arrests.

The three Chesapeake representatives heard about other Triad successes in isolated areas and in cities such places as Huntsville/Madison County, Ala.; Adams County, Colo.; LaPaz County, Ariz.; Broward County, Fla.; Columbus/Muscogee County, Ga.; and Monroe/Owen County, Ind.

After the conference, representatives of the Chesapeake Sheriff's Department wanted to initiate the Triad program here.

If Chesapeake seniors see law enforcement agencies pulling together to enhance available services and implement new ones, they will have more confidence, said Wyndy Woods, one of two sheriff's department representatives in the program.

Local seniors filled out a survey to express concerns about safety or the lack of it in their neighborhoods.

The survey asked which crimes present the greatest worry: assault, purse snatching, phone scams, burglary, drug abuse or robbery. Their input was requested existing safety measures. Are services such as street lighting, neighborhood watches, check-up calls or visits, transportation and home security assistance adequate? Seniors also learned how they can take part in making Chesapeake a safer place.

Now that Triad is in place, the next step is to set up a S.A.L.T. council (Seniors And Lawmen Together). The group will consist of eight to 10 members.

``That's the heart of Triad,'' McClenny said. ``The council can bring the concerns of senior citizens to law enforcement officials. Then those concerns can be immediately addressed.''

In addition to law enforcement personnel, the S.A.L.T. council will include representatives from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, AARP, the Agency on Aging, Chesapeake Virginia Extension Service and emergency response/medical personnel. Seniors from each section of the city also will be recruited for the council. Its purpose is to serve as the liaison between the community and law enforcement. by CNB