In an effort to ramp up the safety measures for San Antonio's senior citizens, the City's Public Safety Committee has greenlit a new policy spearheaded by Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda. It requires city departments with public interactions, including the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and Fire Department (SAFD), to report suspected elder abuse and neglect. These new rules aim to close the gaps in reporting and protecting the aging population.
Found critical for maintaining strong community ties, this initiative ensures immediate reporting of any suspected abuse to Texas Adult Protective Services (APS) by city employees. When working together, joined by Human Services and other departments, the goal is to increase vigilance and preventive measures for the senior community members. According to the news release from the City of San Antonio, existing collaboration between the SAPD and APS will be expanded across various city services.
Complementing this policy, the Department of Human Services' Senior Services Division has taken it upon themselves to create a comprehensive training program for City employees. Stated to begin immediately, this program's purpose is to shore up the ability of workers, like those in Code Enforcement and Animal Care Services, to identify and act upon signs of elder mistreatment. According to the announcement from the City of San Antonio, mandatory training will be rolled out to employees, especially those who frequently interact with the elderly.
"Our senior citizens have dedicated their lives to building our community; now it’s our turn to ensure their safety," Councilmember Cabello Havrda told officials, as per the same news realease, reinforcing the notion that those trained are not just recognizing, but also taking necessary actions against abuse by reporting to APS. With Bexar County and the State of Texas also on board with similar measures, San Antonio's policy joins a growing effort to bolster protection for vulnerable seniors. The City aims for full implementation by year's end.
