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TRIAD has been active in Cass County for more than 10 years, ever since former Sheriff Jim Dowson asked Bob and Pat Lahti to attend a State TRIAD Conference in Duluth. We have been fortunate to have the support and encouragement of county officials in maintaining a program that works proactively to keep our senior citizens safe.

Law Enforcement and senior citizens who are involved in TRIAD know the worth of this program. I'd like to share a few of the benefits of TRIAD with those who may not be as familiar with this initiative:

• Cass County TRIAD brings information that enhances senior safety to all areas of our county. Sheriff Tom Burch and I have presented information on Frauds and Scams, Operation ID and TRIAD to various groups throughout Cass County over the past several years. If you are interested in bringing this information to your church or community groups, please contact me at the number listed below.

• Cass County TRIAD has projects they have developed to protect seniors. Our Yellow Dot (medical card) program has been in place for several years and is available to anyone free of charge. Other projects include credit card protectors, bathroom safety, beacon lights and 911 Cell Phone Program. We are always open to and looking for new ideas to enhance senior safety in our communities.[[In-content Ad]]

• Cass County TRIAD is self-funded. Cass County TRIAD participates in fundraising activities throughout the year, such as Book and Bake Sales, to raise money for projects, such as the yellow dot program.

• TRIAD brings together law enforcement and senior citizens with a common goal of senior safety. TRIAD offers an opportunity for senior citizens and law enforcement to spend time together and get to know each other while sharing information on crime prevention. This benefits seniors in that they are comfortable in contacting law enforcement when they have questions. This also benefits law enforcement in that TRIAD members become extra eyes and ears in the community.

• TRIAD is a proactive crime prevention program. How many people have not been involved in a scam because of what has been shared at a TRIAD meeting or what a TRIAD member has brought back to their community, their neighbor or their coffee group? How many seniors have not been victims of a crime because of a self-defense class at the State TRIAD Conference? It's hard to measure how many crimes have been prevented because of TRIAD, but isn't it worth it if even one person didn't become a victim....especially if that person was you or a loved one!

• Yearly State TRIAD Conferences provide an opportunity for law enforcement, senior citizens and community members interested in senior issues to interact, exchange information, learn from presenters and form a network. Networking is invaluable in every profession and TRIAD is no exception. The State Conferences provide an opportunity to share information of what is being done in the various counties, to gain knowledge and to meet others with similar goals. The 2011 State TRIAD Conference will be held at the Black Bear Casino and Conference Center in Carlton on September 27-29, 2011. If you'd like more information, please contact me at 218-547-7308 or [email protected].

• MN TRIAD. TRIAD is a state and national initiative with the sole purpose of enhancing senior safety. MN TRIAD offers a state level organization to connect TRIAD members throughout Minnesota. A bi-monthly MN TRIAD newsletter is sent out by e-mail to any interested persons or organizations. To sign-up for this e-mail, send your e-mail address to [email protected] or [email protected]. MN TRIAD is also supported by the MN Sheriffs' Association and MN Chiefs of Police Association.

If you have an interest in sharing a commitment to keeping seniors safer in our communities with others with the same goal, please contact one of the members listed below or come to a meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Hackensack Senior Center - Lunch meeting beginning at noon. Lunch is available for a nominal fee.

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