Senior Victim Assistance Unit (SVAU)

The Frederick City Police Department's Senior Victim Assistance Unit (SVAU) is one of the few victim assistance units within law enforcement that specifically addresses crimes perpetrated against senior citizens. The SVAU assists senior crime victims (60 years of age and older) in dealing with a variety of crimes including: theft, assault, elder abuse, financial exploitation, destruction of property, and caregiver abuse. The SVAU also responds to referrals from Adult Protective Services, the Health Department, FMH facilities, nursing homes, the Maryland State Attorney General's Office, and other law enforcement agencies.

The SVAU has processed more than 1,500 senior crime victim cases since inception in 1998. Although less than 10% of these have proceeded through the judicial process, the SVAU provides assistance to senior victims in dealing with the trauma and confusion that sometimes surrounds such cases. Because the State Attorney General's Office assists only crime victims whose cases reach the court system, and because many elder crime victims have no family or friends able to assist them, the SVAU provides a vital service to Frederick's seniors in coping with what can sometimes be intimidating circumstances.

All criminal reports and Frederick City Police calls affecting senior crime victims are referred to the SVAU. Any senior living within Frederick City limits may contact the SVAU directly.

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) Council

The Senior and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) Council is an advocacy and advisory commission. It provides a forum for the exchange of information between community senior citizens and law enforcement agencies. The SALT Council functions as both a sounding board and an information source to assist law enforcement agencies in addressing crime-related issues that impact seniors. The SALT Council is comprised of a variety of members including community seniors, AARP representatives, health care and law enforcement representatives, clergy, and business community.

The SALT Council's primary goal is to contact senior-related public and private support organizations, identify seniors in need, and implement or modify programs that assist senior crime victims. The SALT Council also supports special needs seniors awareness training for law enforcement personnel. Members of the SALT Council also participate in community programs such as the inter-generational programs offered in many schools.

The Frederick SALT Council meets at 10:00 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Frederick Police Department's Community Services Division at 615 North Market Street. Any senior interested in participating is urged to attend! Please call to verify meeting times as they may change during holidays and inclement weather.