Triad in Virginia
The Triad partnership in Virginia, through the Office of the Attorney General, protects our growing elderly population. With the support of the local sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP, and other community services groups Triad works to keep older Virginians informed of their rights.
A major purpose of Triad is to develop, expand and implement effective crime prevention and safety programs for older Virginians. Triad works at the local level to improve the quality of life for seniors by providing an active exchange of information between local law enforcement and seniors.
Triad was established in 1988 when three national organizations agreed that the elderly could better be protected by cooperative efforts. The relationship was cemented when the organizations - the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) - signed a cooperative agreement. As Attorney General, Robert F. McDonnell has pledged to continue the mission of Triad, which started in Virginia in 1995 and now over 200 counties, cities, and towns have signed a Triad Cooperative Agreement.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about Triad:
What do the letters in Triad stand for?
Triad is not an acronym. The term refers to the three founding organizations
of Triad: AARP, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and
the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA).
What is the purpose of Triad?
Triad seeks to build partnerships between senior citizens and law enforcement
to share information on how seniors can avoid becoming victims of crime and
enhance the safety and quality of their lives.
Isn’t Triad just another program?
Triad is not a program; it’s a partnership between senior citizens and
law enforcement. Both groups benefit the community by sharing goals, desires,
information and resources.
How much does it cost to have a Triad partnership in time and money?
There is no cost involved in having a Triad in your community. In fact, many
police departments and sheriff’s offices report saving thousands of dollars
a year by having Triad volunteers assist with routine phone calls and paperwork,
freeing up their officers and deputies for other duties.
Who is responsible for making Triad work?
If Triad is the car, the S.A.L.T. Council (Seniors And Law enforcement Together)
is the engine that drives the car. The S.A.L.T. Council is usually made up of
from 10 to 20 representatives of community agencies that work with, or for,
the elderly. The S.A.L.T. Council meets at least quarterly (usually monthly)
to keep abreast of the needs of senior citizens in the community and make plans
to address these needs.
How do short-staffed law enforcement agencies find the time for Triad?
The main purpose of the law enforcement involvement in Triad is to advise the
S.A.L.T. Council about the latest frauds and scams being tried in the community,
as well as any crime prevention tips they may have to offer. This usually means
sending an officer or deputy to the S.A.L.T. Council meetings for one hour a
month.
Does Triad really work?
In communities where Triad is actively informing seniors about frauds and scams,
law enforcement agencies report a drop in the amount of these crimes being committed.
Scam artists naturally seek seniors who are uninformed about their frauds. Anecdotal
evidence and testimony abound about how those trained by Triad partnerships
simply refuse to be taken in by these criminals.
Does Triad work better in large cities or small towns?
Triad is entirely community-based. Therefore, each locality decides what they
need to do on their own. What works in Richmond may not work in Vinton, and
vice-versa. But every community, large or small, can benefit from the information
and services provided by Triad.
How do we get started?
First, identify the catalyst: One leader in the community must be willing to
carry the torch and reach out to other agency/organization leaders, asking them
to join a partnership to keep seniors safe. This person is usually in a prominent
position, such as the sheriff, a police chief, the Commonwealth’s Attorney,
or other elected official. Have them contact Jennifer Aulgur, Director of Triad
and Citizen Outreach for Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell at (804) 786-9516
or seniors@oag.state.va.us.
For more information, visit the Triad page online, available at the following web address: http://www.oag.state.va.us/CONSUMER/TRIAD/
Last Review: Monday, June 21, 2010
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