50+ Lifestyles

On The Go With Joe Hutter

Seniors And Law
Enforcement Together (SALT)

By Joe Hutter

January 2010-What is this year going to bring? Next month the Scott County sheriffís Office, along with other police departments will be starting the Citizen’s Academy. This is designed to bring the citizens and police together. It begins February 4th and runs until April 1. Applications can be picked up at all police agencies except Davenport Police. They will be having an academy later.

Soon tax time will be here. If you know of anyone who is thinking of borrowing money, it could be a costly way to gain a few days on tax refunds. Internet rates could run from 40 to 700 percent on a refund anticipation loan.

Recently you probably got a notice concerning your privacy. It covers information about you and what the loan company, bank or anyone you do business with can do with the information about you, if you don’t tell them to take your name off a list. If you wonder why you get so much junk mail, this is why. It should be that businesses cannot use nor have any other business use your personal information unless you give them permission to do so. If you don’t “opt out” think about how much time it would take for you to notify every company that you do business with to “opt out.” Many things have changed since 2001 under the USA Patriot Act. What starts out as protection ends up filling our mailboxes.

Our next S.A.L.T. meeting is January 27 at 9:30 a.m. at CASI in Davenport. Come join us. There is no charge and we want to hear your ideas on working with law enforcement to help our seniors.

Take care.