NCJ Number
146205
Date Published
1993
Length
152 pages
Annotation
This book discusses the benefits of a TRIAD and provides details on how to create a local TRIAD. A triad is a cooperative effort between the leaders of a community's police, sheriff's department and senior citizens to create programs to prevent the criminal victimization of the elderly.
Abstract
TRIAD involves cooperation between the police, the sheriff's department and leaders of a community's elderly population working to reduce criminal victimization of the elderly and improve the delivery of law enforcement services to the elderly. The TRIAD concept began with the signing of a formal agreement in 1988, between the American Association of Retired Persons, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs' Association, to promote and support the creation of local TRIADS. This guidebook explains what a TRIAD is, its purpose and how it can be implemented. It discusses how law enforcement can work effectively with an area's senior citizens to initiate comprehensive crime prevention programs. Advise is given on starting a TRIAD including establishing the structure and role of an advisory council. Suggested activities of the TRIAD council include: 1) surveying the local senior citizens about their crime-related concerns; 2) taking inventory of existing programs and resources; 3) evaluation of TRIAD activities; 4) information sharing; 5) advising law enforcement; and 6) crime reporting and creating reassurance programs. Samples are provided of a model TRIAD cooperative agreement, a model department policy, letters of invitation, model advisory council policy, senior advisory council by-laws and community survey forms. The handbook also discusses the need to train law enforcement officers so that they have a better understanding of the aging process and the needs of the elderly. Senior citizens also need to be better educated about the criminal justice system.