Friday, February 20, 2015
Poland Township’s senior residents now have a new tool to keep them safe: a watch program.
The police department has three options for seniors who wish to participate.
Residents can join the check-in program, in which they decide on a day and time that they will call the police to check in. If they don’t make the call, an officer will call or stop by their residence to make sure they are all right.
The second option is the elderly call program, in which the police department will call the resident on designated days and times.
The most comprehensive of the options is the senior watch program, which is designed for seniors who may need more assistance. In this case, a police officer will visit the resident once a week or more.
Township Trustee Joanne Wollet led the effort to start the programs because of the need she says she saw in the community.
“This is a caring community. And the Mahoning Valley in general is an aging population, and I think we need to do more for seniors,” she said.
Close to 19 percent of Mahoning County’s population is age 65 or older, according to 2013 U.S. Census Bureau data. That is higher than the national rate, which is just above 14 percent.
“There’s too many times that you read where there’s been an accident, and it’s been weeks before they’re found. It’s uncalled for in this community,” she said.
Wollet said checking on seniors is something officers often already do. “Our officers do community policing all the time, so this is just a more formalized way to do that,” she said.
The program already has one woman enrolled.
“In this case, she does have family nearby, but she just thought it was nice we would check in on her,” Police Chief Brian Goodin said.
Goodin said the program benefits the police department as well as residents.
“When we get those calls to check on a neighbor ... we don’t really like breaking in doors,” he said. “It helps us on that end, that we’ll have a contact name or number for these people if something comes up at the house.”
The application asks for emergency contact information of the applicant’s family, neighbors or friends.
He said another benefit of the program is the comfort it will bring to people who can’t care for their elderly relatives.
“It’s peace of mind for the families who are out of town, to know that we’re checking on their parents,” he said.
Although the programs are geared toward elderly residents, people with disabilities also are welcome to enroll.
To enroll, residents can apply at the township government building, 3339 Dobbins Road, or online at www.polandtownship.com/police-department-programs.