What is TRIAD?
TRIAD is a partnership which involves Senior Citizens, Law Enforcement agencies, and Support/Protective Services who agree to work together. Their primary goals are to reduce the criminal victimization of older citizens and enhance the delivery of services to this population.
TRIAD provides the opportunity for an exchange of information between law enforcement, support service, and senior citizens. It focuses on reducing unwarranted fear of crime and improving the quality of life for seniors. TRIAD is tailored to meet the needs of each community and can be an integral part of community policing.
Why is TRIAD necessary?
Older Americans comprise the most rapidly growing segment of the population. One in every eight Americans is already age 65 or older, a total of more than 33.6 million. Increased life expectancy is leading to new issues and problems for the criminal justice system as most communities experience a dramatic increase in the number of older persons. Calls for services, crimes, victims are all changing. (Source: Illinois TRIAD)
In 2021, over 92,000 victims over the age of 60 reported losses of $1.7 billion to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). This represents a 74% increase in losses over losses reported in 2020. The average dollar loss per victim $18,246. 3,133 victims loss more than $100,000. (Source: 2021 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report, March 2022)
How did TRIAD get started?
TRIAD is a national program that began in 1988 when the National Sheriff’s Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and AARP signed a cooperative effort to work together to reduce crime victimization and unwarranted fear of crime affecting older persons. The three national organizations agreed that Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, and Senior Citizens, working together could devise better ways to reduce crimes against the elderly and enhance law enforcements services to older citizens. This, they believe, is true community policing, providing better service to a population, which appreciates, respects and supports law enforcement.
The Illinois State TRIAD was formed in 1990. The Attorney General’s Office prioritized the organization of TRIADs throughout the state.
The Sangamon County TRIAD is proud to be a member of the National Association of TRIADs, as well as a member of the Illinois State TRIAD Association.