| The Seniors and Lawmen
Together team (S.A.L.T.) is a group of volunteers who patrol the
trails of the Iowa Great Lakes region during the summer months. From
May through October the volunteers ride a donated Polaris ATV from the
north end of the trail on the east side of Big Spirit Lake to the
south end at Milford. A typical summer will see the S.A.L.T. team log
over 6,000 miles while maintaining the safety of the bikers, walkers
and rollerbladers on the trail. Each volunteer is trained and
certified to operate the ATV and also carry a cell phone and radio to
report emergencies and problems to the Communications Center. Aside
from emergencies, the trails patrol also provides information, water
and carries air pumps for bicycles.
Aside from the trails, the
S.A.L.T. team was a driving force behind the purchase of a portable
radar trailer. The trailer was purchased by the county and each
municipality in Dickinson County. The trailer can be deployed along
any roadway and is shows motorists their speed as well as the posted
speed limit at that location.
The 2004 S.A.L.T. team
(Photo courtesy of the Dickinson County News)
Another project is
Project Lifesaver. This program allows family members to purchase a
bracelet for those suffering from Alzheimer's to who often wander away
from home. The bracelet contains a tracking device so the person can
be quickly found.
The very first project
S.A.L.T. was involved in was in the mid 1990s when they offered
refrigerator cards to Senior Citizens. The cards were bright pink in
color and showed what medications the person was taking. If paramedics
were called to the home, they could get the essential information on
the patient from the card and treat them accordingly.
For more information on
S.A.L.T., contact Sheriff Greg Baloun at 712-336-2793. |
