TERRE HAUTE —
A new partnership among community agencies is aimed at reducing fraud against senior citizens and enhancing law enforcement services for older people.
On Monday, police and community leaders agreed that setting up a Triad commitment is a good way to fight crimes against the elderly.
Triad is a three-way commitment among the police chiefs, sheriff, prosecutor and others in the community who work with senior citizens.
Michelle Mayer, director of Outreach Services for Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, presented Triad to community leaders who agree that having the program in play by next spring’s Fraud and Scam Awareness Program and Expo for Seniors is a possibility.
Sheriff Greg Ewing said the program is needed in Vigo County to help senior citizens avoid scams in person and via the Internet.
“Last year,” Ewing said, “as a fluke we had ‘gypsy’ blacktoppers come through town who were targeting people. For one man, the bank stopped the money because they recognized the scam. But, we couldn’t find the [blacktoppers]. They are ‘gypsies,’ and had probably moved on to some other town.”
Lori Alpin of Senior Education Ministries agreed that seniors are often targeted by scammers, so educating them on what scams look like has been the goal of the expo. Having an organization such as a local Triad can give seniors a contact point for reporting scams and seeking assistance.
“It’s been a matter of waiting for the right time,” Alpin said of setting up Triad locally. “And the time is now.”
Mayer said another good focus for a Triad event is medication collection and disposal for unused or outdated drugs, since it is hazardous to flush medication into the city sewage system. While there have been some drug take-back dates organized in the past, having an ongoing disposal site for medication can keep those drugs out of the hands of abusers.
Triad is operated by volunteers — usually recently retired senior citizens who are still active and wanting to help others. They can make phone calls, send out emails and mailers, and inform others of active scams in the community, or help victims fill out reports and protect themselves against future scams.
Twenty-one Triad groups exist in the state, covering 23 counties. The goal is to set up a Triad in each of Indiana’s 92 counties, Mayer said.
“As for international scams, there is not a lot that can be done,” she said, referring to email and phone scams, usually offering to award lottery winnings to the “winner” in exchange for cash advance on the “taxes” for the fake prize. “Triad can be a clearing house for such complaints. If it is not a local scam, the best thing you can do is go online to the Federal Trade Commission and fill out a form to report it.”
Volunteers can be trained in what to say to victims, and can follow up on scam investigations. In the case of identity theft, a victim can be helped immediately, she said, but it may take up to three years to clean up any damage done to a person’s credit.
Mayer recommended that the group of 18 leaders meeting Monday — which included Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt, Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse, West Terre Haute Police Chief Don Lark, John Etling of Catholic Charities, Muriel Ryan of Families by Choice, and people from a variety of other agencies representing senior citizens — meet again soon to being formalizing their Triad into a Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) council to carry out programs and activities.
SALT can then conduct a survey to determine the crime safety needs of the local senior community. And active organization can then be in place by the annual fraud and scam expo, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 21 at the Vigo County Fairgrounds. Volunteers can then be solicited to help with the organization.
Another Triad organizing session has been set for at 9 a.m. Dec. 12, with the location to be announced. For more information, contact Aplin at LoriAlpin@gmail.com
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at 812-231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa.
News
Partnership aims to reduce fraud against seniors
- News
-
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Is it regulation that doesn’t make sense or evening the playing field?
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
- More News Headlines
-
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Today in History May 22
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
