Triad is an outreach program dedicated to bridging the gap between Oklahoma City senior citizens, Oklahoma City Police Department, and the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s office, and was established by OCPD in 1998 after seeing the senior population had specific concerns needing to be addressed. The program has an advisory group, Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT), made up of members like police chiefs, sheriffs, AARP, retired leaders, emergency response services, and any other agencies or persons interested in the welfare of senior citizens.
The program educates citizens in crime prevention and victim/witness programs for older residents. Triad also recruits and trains volunteers to help OCPD and Oklahoma County Sheriff’s department. They also serve as a forum for law enforcement and the community to share needs and concerns; work together to develop solutions and identify problem areas for seniors; and develop and implement community wide solutions.
Triad is coordinated by civilian Sheryl Presley. Presley is “very active” with Triad seniors, who love her passion for serving their needs. She holds monthly meetings, participates in senior expos, and even does Chaplin's corner at the State Fair of Oklahoma where she provides support, snacks, and drinks for the first responders working the fair.
In addition to holding meetings, Sheryl coordinates activities throughout the year, including their two largest events. The first is Grandparents Raising Grandkids at Christmastime, which assists the senior population who care for their grandchildren to provide Christmas joy. The second is a back-to-school event, where around 200 kids being raised by senior citizens receive backpacks and food; Triad brings in fire trucks, a helicopter, K9 officers, police motorcycles, and more for a fun day!
For more information on Triad, Sheryl Presley can be reached at (405) 316-4336. She is available for speaking engagements on personal and home safety, current fraud and scams and identity theft.
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