TRIAD gets seniors involved in community policing

By Barbara Brown
Senior citizens in North Branch, and plenty of other cities and towns across the country, are getting involved in their communities through their police departments.
The local TRIAD group, made up of North Branch police, seniors and the Chisago County Sheriffís Department, meets once a month to discuss a topic important to them, whether it be identity theft, emergency preparedness or how to keep seniors safe in their homes.
TRIAD started as a way to keep seniors protected from things like crime sprees, phone and mail scams and remind them they need to keep their street smarts even well after retirement.
Each month, members of the North Branch group bring cakes and a fresh urn of coffee greets everyone who walks in.
After pleasantries, a snack and a caffeine jolt, the group gets down to business.
At the March meeting, the group became concerned about snow around exit doorways and on sidewalks they would use in case of an emergency. The discussion moved to fire safety and the seniors, especially those who live in Shieldís Plaza, said they would like more information on fire safety.
Kevin Anton, assistant fire chief with the North Branch fire department, arrived at the groupís April meeting and took a half hour to review important fire tips and show how to use a fire extinguisher.
At the same meeting, Police Chief Jules Zimmer talked about seat belt safety and lead a brief discussion on vehicle accidents with and without seat belts. But the group does not only focus on senior issues. They bring their concerns about the community to the table and Zimmer tries to address them.
While it is important for the seniors to keep up on safety issues, the group may hold even more dear the need to continue participating in their community.
The TRIAD sponsors the annual bike rodeo which raises awareness of summertime bicycle safety for young people and rewards them with a bike helmet.
Officers are given coupons to Dairy Queen through the TRIAD to distribute to youths they see wearing bicycle helmets or otherwise setting a good citizen example.
Howard Kurtz, president of the TRIAD, recently was honored by Youth Service Bureau for his nearly 30 years of volunteer service with youths.
Now Kurtz and other seniors bring their concerns about the community to the tables in Shieldís Plaza once a month and do whatever they can to help.
Zimmer said having retired seniors involved in community policing makes the job of full-time officers a little easier.
He said the seniors are the police and sheriffís eyes and ears when they cannot be around. Seniors still drive cars, still run errands and go to the grocery store and movies and they often do those things when other people arenít around ñ during daytime hours.
The group members keep their eyes on the parks, neighborhoods and shops in North Branch and Harris and report suspicious or criminal activity to police.
Not only is criminal activity a focus, but seniors tend to vote more often in elections than any other age bracket and they make sure their elected officials know what they are concerned about.
At the April meeting, the North Branch liaison for U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstarís office met with the group and filled them in on Oberstarís activities.
She reminded them to keep in touch with her so she can pass on any concerns to Oberstar.
The TRIAD always welcomes guests and is open to people of all ages. For information, call Kurtz at (651) 674-4550.

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