TO: MEDIA
FROM: HAYWOOD CO. SHERIFF
DATE: 06-29-2016
RE: NEW PROGRAM
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office announces it is unveiling a new initiative, Seniors And Law enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.), to better meet the needs of our senior population.
Beginning July 14, a series of free safety-based programs designed with our senior residents and visitors in mind, will be hosted every second Thursday from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Waynesville Public Library. S.A.L.T. programs will run the gamut from learning about personal and home safety, to protecting oneself from internet scams and swindles, to recognizing and dealing with medical emergencies.
Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher said S.A.L.T. is a cooperative effort between multiple county agencies created to empower seniors with information and skills to help prevent them from becoming victims.
“There is a criminal element out there that specifically targets our seniors,” Sheriff Christopher said. “The first and best line of defense is education. If you know what is out there and how to protect against it, criminals are less likely to consider you an easy target.”
An increasing aging population and number retirees visiting and moving to Haywood County prompted the creation of S.A.L.T. Sheriff Christopher said he believes it is critical for law enforcement and seniors to partner together.
“Our seniors have knowledge, experience and wisdom that merit our respect and our assistance,” Sheriff Christopher said. “We can help one another.”
S.A.L.T. was created with the help of the Haywood County Public Library and the Senior Resource Center, as well as Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, Information Technology, and other agencies who routinely work with issues particularly pertinent to seniors. Guest speakers from many different agencies and disciplines will be featured at each class.
For more information about S.A.L.T., please visit the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office website at HaywoodNCSheriff.com, or contact Deputy Kevin Brooks at (828) 356-2882.
