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Dear Editor:

As we near the beginning of a new year, we think about starting over with a clean slate, making goals and re-evaluating ....

One of my goals is to clear up some misconceptions about TRIAD:

1. TRIAD is only a Cass County Program. FALSE... TRIAD is a state and national program. TRIAD is now active in 20 counties throughout Minnesota, with more counties working on establishing programs. The goal of MN TRIAD is to have TRIAD in all 87 counties.

2. TRIAD isn't a serious program - they just socialize. FALSE... One of the things that make TRIAD unique is the comfortableness and familiarity that exists between senior citizens and law enforcement. This relationship is what keeps the lines of communication open between them. Law enforcement personnel bring information to our senior citizens about current frauds, scams and other crimes that are happening in our county. Seniors feel comfortable asking questions and sharing with law enforcement what they have seen or experienced. These seniors then bring the information to other seniors in the community - their neighbors, in their church or other groups. Senior citizens are also the "eyes and ears" of our communities and TRIAD seniors are very comfortable calling in to law enforcement and reporting suspicious activities. TRIAD cannot exist without the support of law enforcement ... and we are very fortunate to have Sheriff Tom Burch's support of this initiative that works on keeping our senior population safe.

3. You have to be a TRIAD member to attend meetings or the state conference. FALSE... The meetings and state conferences are open to anyone interested in promoting senior safety in our communities. Although, be warned....you won't be a "visitor" for long. We tend to adopt people quite quickly. As one TRIAD member said, "It's the only group that I felt comfortable in right from the start."[[In-content Ad]]

The Minnesota TRIAD website can be accessed by going to www.mnsheriffs.org, click on "Sheriffs in the Community" and then TRIAD. On this website, you can access past issues of the MN TRIAD newsletter, along with a powerpoint and brochure about what MN TRIAD is. This website is still being updated with information, so be sure to check back often. If you'd like to receive the MN TRIAD newsletter by e-mail, just contact me by e-mail - [email protected].

TRIAD brings together caring senior citizens and law enforcement persons that are working for a common goal - to keep senior citizens safe in our communities. And similar to a relationship, it takes work to keep it strong - hence, the monthly meetings, the State Conferences and the everyday connections.

TRIAD meetings are generally on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Hackensack Senior Center - lunch at 12 noon immediately following by the meeting. All seniors are welcome and encouraged to attend a meeting and find out what TRIAD is all about!

TRIAD Contacts

Maynard and Betty Nelson, Backus, 218-682-2363; Bernie Miller, Hackensack, 218-675-6137; Chuck and Mona Hoover, Outing. 218-792-5715; Betty Waldron, Pine River, 218-587-3216; Shirley Dowson, Walker, 218-547-1894, [email protected] ; Pauline Fahey, Cass Co Sheriff's Office, 218-547-7308, [email protected] or; MN TRIAD Secretary, 218-536-0899, [email protected]

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