Video: Prentiss County Senior Citizens Honored With Luncheon And Given Safety Tips

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BOONEVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – Senior Citizens are often an easy target for criminals.  However,  law enforcement agencies have realized that proactive measures can often keep the elderly from becoming victims.
As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports,  one Northeast Mississippi sheriff is honoring and educating seniors through an annual luncheon.
It’s the last friday in May and Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar is showing off his dancing skills.

For fifteen years now, the sheriff has sponsored a lunch for senior citizens, as part of Prentiss County Triad.

“The Triad represents law enforcement, in cooperation with our senior citizens and AARP,” Sheriff Tolar said.

Hundreds of senior citizens fill the Gym at First United Methodist Church, where they are served lunch , enjoy music, and are given crime fighting tips.

“We’ve learned over the years that our senior citizens are a valuable resource , especially law enforcement, because these folks are retired and often are home during the day when a lot of our crime occurs, so they provide an extra set of ears and eyes for us,” Tolar said.

Vendors also set up booths.  The State Fire Marshal’s office handed out “oven sticks”  a simple tool to help seniors get food in or out of the oven, without getting burned.

There was also a lot of information on fire safety for seniors.

“A lot of folks think, it’s a fire , I need to try and save my house and that’s when most of them are overcome by the smoke and die in a fire, so the best thing we want them to do is to get out and stay out,” said Ricky Davis of the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Guests of honor appreciate all the hard work.

“We enjoy the fellowship and the food,” said Linda Kennedy.

“Well, I like everything,” said Leola Agnew.

It takes many volunteers to host the luncheon, many of those helping out are employees with the sheriff’s department.
TRIAD groups are active throughout the nation to encourage partnerships between senior citizens and law enforcement agencies.