SALT program becoming more popular, says OPP while asking for funding

Craig Bakay | Jan 22, 2020

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) is about trying to keep our seniors living independently in their own homes, SSgt. Sharon Brown told North Frontenac Council at its regular meeting last Friday in Plevna.

“We (police) don’t get calls when you’re having a good day,” she said. “Seniors are a vulnerable demographic when it comes to personal, financial and property safety.

“In North and Central Frontenac, 32 per cent of the population is 65 years and older (according to the 2016 Census),” she said. “The SALT committee is truly a community initiative and includes the OPP, Rural Frontenac Community Services, Frontenac Community Services, Central Frontenac Township, North Frontenac Township, the Sharbot Lake Royal Canadian Legion, Legal Services and Connections-Adult Learning.”

She said the project provides a series of educational presentations to rural and often isolated seniors where they will be informed on safety concerns that are specific to them.

“Crime prevention and community safety topics may include frauds and scams, personal safety, home security, identity theft, fire safety, emergency preparedness, wills and powers of attorney, and elder abuse, to name a few,” Brown said. “The sessions will include a nutritious meals, with opportunities to socialize and network with one another.

“Where transportation is a barrier, a ride can be arranged.”

As such transportation and the cost of lunch are included in the program “to address the need of some senior who are on limited incomes and/or do not drive,” she said.

Brown told North Frontenac Council CNF SALT has made an application for funding under the New Horizons Grant, which has funded SALT in South Frontenac since 2016.

Funding secured by South Frontenac was also used to launch the CNF SALT program and give four presentations in 2019.

However, any new grants will not be available until the spring of 2020. Therefore, Brown was at Council looking for $1,000 to hold three SALT events during the winter of 2020.

“We’re in a bit of a holding pattern,” Brown said.

Coun. Fred Fowler told Council that the Snow Road Community Association has committed $500 to the program, leaving $500 to come from the Township.

Brown said that when they started the program, there would be about 15-20 show up but now the numbers are in the 40-50 range.

“I was at the one in Plevna Hall and I think there were about 70 people, there,” said Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin. “It was the talk of the town for awhile.”

CAO Cheryl Robson said: “We can do the $500 as a grant and revisit it at budget time.”

Brown said they’d also be approaching Central Frontenac for funding to which Mayor Ron Higgins said: “I’ll talk to (Central Mayor Smith) Frances.”

The next area SALT talk is Jan. 24 at South Frontenac Community Services on Stage Coach Road in Sydenham from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.