FORSYTH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

SHERIFF, AARP TEAM UP TO

PROTECT SENIORS

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the Forsyth County Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) have teamed up to form a special group dedicated to protect seniors, Sheriff Paxton announced today.

 

At its organizational meeting last week, 15 charter members of the group, which will be called S.A.L.T., for “Seniors And Lawmen Together”, elected officers and formed committees to help develop the organization’s mission and obtain tax-exempt status.

 

The S.A.L.T. Team will operate in cooperation with the Forsyth County Senior Center and the Special Victims Unit of the Sheriff’s Office. 

 

“This is a home run for our senior citizens,” Sheriff Paxton said.  “Older Americans are the fastest growing segment of our population and are often the most vulnerable when it comes to financial fraud, home repair scams and even elder abuse.  “Our objective is to make sure that our senior citizens are protected in every possible way,” Sheriff Paxton added.

 

S.A.L.T. has two primary goals, crime prevention and education for senior citizens.  The S.A.L.T. Team council will plan activities and programs that will involve and benefit both law enforcement and seniors.  Among the activities and programs are:

 

  • Crime prevention programs for older persons
  • Information on how to avoid criminal victimization
  • Expanded involvement in the Neighborhood Watch program
  • Home security information and inspections
  • Personal safety tips
  • Education on current fraud schemes and scams which affect seniors

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  • Training on how to deal with door-to-door salesmen
  • Training on how to deal with telemarketers and other high pressure salespersons
  • Elder abuse prevention, recognition and reporting procedures
  • Training for deputies and staff on how to communicate effectively and assist older persons
  • Reassurance programs for older citizens
  • Adopt-A-Senior visits and a Buddy System for shut-ins
  • Emergency preparedness plans for and by seniors
  • Training on how to shop safely and effectively
  • Victim assistance for seniors
  • Refrigerator cards with emergency medical information
  • Volunteer programs for persons who want to work with seniors

 

“The Reverse 911 system we recently announced will allow us to call our senior citizens who are shut-ins on a daily (or more often) basis so that we can check on their welfare as often as needed,” Sheriff Paxton said. “That system should be operational shortly after the first of the year.  In addition, we also plan to have a special link on our Sheriff’s Office web site dedicated to S.A.L.T.  This special section will allow anyone who is interested in S.A.L.T. to check in and find out about meetings and activities,” Paxton added. 

 

Anyone interested in participating in S.A.L.T. should contact Shelley Johnson, Director of the Forsyth County Senior Center at (770) 781-2178 or Deputy Michael Garrison at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office.  Deputy Garrison can be reached at  (678) 513-5880.  He can be reached via email at mtgarrison@forsythco.com.

 

The next S.A.L.T. Team meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14 at the Forsyth County Senior Center.  The meeting starts at 10 a.m.  Future S.A.L.T. Team meetings are planned for the second Wednesday of each month at the Senior Center.  The meetings are open to the public.