Elderly people in Burleigh County are being asked to "press 1" if they're OK.

The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department has implemented Triad, a crime prevention program that partners law enforcement, senior citizens and community groups in an effort to keep seniors safe.

Sheriff Pat Heinert proposed bringing Triad to Burleigh County during his campaign for the sheriff in 2006. At that time, he noted that 15 percent of North Dakotans are 65 years old or older.

So far, two programs are planned as part of Triad in Burleigh County.

The sheriff's department is collecting used cellular phones to distribute for an emergency cell phone program. The phones will be sent to the 911 Cell Phone Bank, where they will be reprogrammed. The sheriff's department will distribute the cell phones to senior citizens for use in emergencies.

The phones only will be able to call 911, Heinert said.

"It does not operate as a cell phone," he said.

The department already has collected around 30 phones to be reprogrammed and several people have requested receiving a phone, the sheriff said. People can donate cell phones at the sheriff's department, 514 E. Thayer Ave., or at the City/County building, 221 N. Fifth St. Phones need to have a battery and be able to be turned on in order to be donated, Heinert said.

The other program started by the sheriff's department is called "Are you OK?" In that program, seniors who sign up will be called during the middle of the week by an automated service. Participants will be asked to respond by pushing numbers on their phones when asked if they are OK. If a person says no, or doesn't respond after several attempts, the sheriff's department will be informed and a deputy will perform a welfare check, Heinert said.

"We kept it as simple as possible,"he said.

The calls likely will be placed in the middle of the week, as many people probably have someone visiting or checking on them during the weekends, Heinert said. The mid-week checkups may make some people feel safer being alone, he said.

"Some people may be able to stay in their homes and live independently longer," Heinert said.

More Triad programs may be added as the department needs, he said, noting that he views the first two programs as the most important.

For more information, visit the sheriff's department Web site at www.burleighsd.com, call the department at 222-6651 or stop by the department.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)