The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

8-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, March 15, 2005 www.karensflowershoei.comC 487 Laurier Ave. 878-2881 Page ý Group of police and seniors seeks new blood Organization offers bridge between cops and elderly By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion It's flot somnething you sprin- kie on your food, but Milton's SALT group just might leave the local senior popu- lation with a better taste in their mouths as it aimns to make life eas- ier for the elderly. The Seniors and Law Enforcement Together council. or SALT for short, recently formed in Milton and is looking for members. The group's purpose is multi-told, said Halton Regional Police Const. Gregg Davidson. eider services support officer. First. it provides a communication line between seniors and police, so police know what issues seniors are dealing with. It also provides a voice for seniors who may be reluctant about stepping forward and speaking with police directly. And it increases their awareness of what services are available to, them in the community. It's both an advisory counicil for police and an action commîttee for community members. Const. Davidson said. SAIT has been running elsewhere in Halton since 1992, but it was just last year that a Milton group was developed. It's being headed up by community support officer Const. Kate Pulford along with Const. Davidson. Potential members of the SALT council - at least five more members are being sought - may be seniors, or they may be care providers or people who interact with seniors and bave a good knowledge of their needa and issues. "The ones involved so far are energetic and wonderful to work with," Const. Pulford said. "They want to share with oth- ers information that keepa them sale and assista in them understanding their rights." One of those members ia Mary Jane Wingfield. who said she joined the group because she enjoys working with people, especially seniors. 1I highly respect the police force of Halton and their recognition of the prob- lems involving seniors," she said. -I am proud to be a part of ibis committee." Those thinking about joining should be prcpared to go out into the community and help put on s arqous presentations and sem- Dr mnars along with police. "tt's better if a senior hears about an issue from a senior." Const. Davidson said. Seniors tend to be a vulnerable segment of the population. and because of that. a large part of the group's focus is scaros and frauda as well as personal safety. With Milton growing as quickly as it is. there are many seniors who've been living here for decades who feel uncornfortahle walking outside alonte. Const. Davidson said. Many seniors are being ripped off and are falling prey to various scams. but they don't want 10 report the incidents. he added. "A lot of seniors don't like talking about what might be happening to thcm," he said. -They're very trusiing. which is great. but unfortunately a lot of people cas take advantage of them." Randy Broten of Edward Joncs said he didn't need to, be convinced to become involved -he knew it was for him right away. "SALT concerna two groups; of people who deserve the best we cas give them seniors and law enforcement." he said. 1I have spent over 30 years in banking and financial services and 1 have seen first hand many of the challenges and abuses heaped upon seniors." One of the roles of SALT is 10 get seniors talking. If SALT members openly talk about their experiences and probleros as ýseniors. others in the commnunity will feel better about openisg up themselves. Const. Davidson said. litx very important for seniors 10 feel ernpowered and 10 know they cas do someîhing to change their circumstances." he said, adding speaking up about negative experiences cas provide closure and help with the healing proceas. Conat. Davidaon said the group is aiming t0 have aI lest one seminar each month with a topic of intereat 10 seniors. It already held a well attended seminar on invest- ment scams with the Ontario Securities Commission. The next presentation will be about frauds and scams and will take place March 23. lî'll take place at 1 p.m. ai the Milton Seniors' Acîiviîy Centre. 500 Childs Dr. For more information on SALT, caîl Const. Davidson ai (905) 878-5511, ext. 5064. Stephiiîis Thiesseii qqq bqq ieedss al S A L T committee mom bora (from Mof) R a ndy Broten, Const Kate Pulford, Mary Jane WingfIld, M ar y Chilaholm and Ann Irvine show off somn of the group'a work. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE zi O E O Cogeco Cable Channel 14 dl h: î&a duv- - Tuesday, March 15 - Monday, March 21, 2005 Truly Local 1eIevisin TVDW N pr www.cogeco.ca 50, 1 3- -, -t' NORTH HA)705 STUDIO -t qg" Laurier Plaza qq,5~ 500 Laurier Avenue Mikon, ON L9T 4R3 905-878-9306 New times for Wednesday LIVE Shows: Swap TaIk, 7pm and Auto Experts, 8pm HALTON REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE W'sion i. p-d' and à