Senior Center Safety Program—

A Tasty Way To Lick Crime

By Nancy K. Crevier

The rain held out, the center was filled to capacity, and in another cooperative effort to increase safety for the elderly, TRIAD, a community policing program made up of the Newtown Police Department, The Newtown Senior Center, and Newtown People’s Bank, presented “Let’s Lick Crime” Wednesday, July 13, at the Newtown Senior Center.

A steadily moving line of more than 150 seniors from Newtown and surrounding communities snaked through the center, collecting information and helpful paraphernalia at several stations marked with large yellow dots. They came not only to obtain information, tools, and tips to raise seniors’ awareness of crime, but to meet up with friends and beat the heat with a delicious ice cream sundae provided by Ashlar of Newtown.

According to Marilyn Place, director of the Newtown Senior Center, a crime prevention unit from the Newtown Police Department is at the center once a month for talks centered on crime awareness. “There is less fear of police officers,” she said, “because of the Senior Center presence.” This special program, though, was the culmination of six month’s worth of preparation with the TRIAD group. She suspected it would be a popular event, but even Ms Place did not expect to have to spend 45 minutes prior to the program’s start shuttling seniors from the overflow parking at Sandy Hook Fire Department down the street.

The Yellow Dot Program was the first stop for most seniors, once they were inside. Each participant of the program had his or her picture taken, and was given an information card to fill out, as well as a yellow sticky dot to be affixed to a car window. The completed information and photo is then placed in an envelope in the glove compartment, where, should an emergency arise, first responders have access to important information about the occupants. The yellow dot alerts emergency workers that this information will be found in the car.

Identity theft was addressed at a TRIAD program at the senior center this past spring, and once again, People’s Bank was on hand to hand out critical information on protection from the potentially devastating effects of this rising crime. Raising awareness gives seniors confidence when they are confronted with suspicious situations.

The Emergency Beacon was given out to those seniors who requested it at the next station. This special bulb is a visual emergency notification when placed in a porch or post light, or in a lamp visible from the road. When the switch is activated, the beacon will flash, alerting emergency personnel as to the location of an emergency. The Emergency Beacon, seniors were told, is not intended to replace a call to 911.

The Glow Stick, it turns out, is not just for sporting events and parties. Not everyone remembers to keep extra batteries on hand, and for those who might need a light to guide their way in the event of a power outage, seniors were provided with samples of Glow Sticks. This handy little light stick lasts for two years when kept in its wrapper. When light is needed, a quick snap of the stick sets it shining for up to 12 hours.

For seniors unaware of the many programs available for them in the area, Newtown Social Services staffed a booth providing information, as did The Newtown Senior Center. Newtown Social Services offers a number of assistance and referral services to area residents, as well as supportive counseling and crisis intervention. The Newtown Senior Center is a source of weekly events and services geared toward the needs of the older community member.

A little side trip into the back room gave the crowd a chance to meet with Newtown Officers Amity Robinson, David Kullgren, and Andy Stinson, who was there with his sidekick, Baro, the police dog. The officers explained safety posters and answered questions from interested seniors, and explained Baro’s position in the police department. Angela DeLeon, state TRIAD coordinator for People’s Bank, was on hand to answer questions, as well.

Seniors collected a “File of Life” at the final booth. Made possible through the Newtown Commission on Aging, the file consists of a magnetic pouch that holds pertinent information, such as a person’s medical history and emergency contacts. Posted on the refrigerator, it is a convenient source of information for anyone responding to an emergency.

The long and winding trail led at last to the patio, where Ashlar personnel and TRIAD committee members rapidly scooped ice cream into bowls, and seniors personalized their sundaes with fruits, syrups, sauces, and sprinkles. Licking crime never tasted so good.