E. Winslow “Buddy” Chapman turned 70 years old last year. That’s an important tidbit to mention when you’re standing in front of a group of senior citizens in a church in North Memphis as Chapman did last Saturday morning.

SeniorBSafe program creator E. Winslow “Buddy” Chapman said he is looking for seniors who find themselves in situations such as the one depicted here. (Courtesy photo)

E. Winslow “Buddy” Chapman

The church was Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church pastored by Rev. Melvin Lee. And Chapman, the head of CrimeStoppers, was there to talk about his latest project, SeniorBSafe.

SeniorBSafe officially launched Jan. 1. It’s a new CrimeStoppers initiative, in partnership with the Crisis Center, that is targeted primarily at senior citizens who are afraid in their homes and neighborhoods and unsure where to find help. The Crisis Center operates a hotline and has worked up special protocols for volunteers on how to recognize a “senior be safe” kind of call.

“All I need to know is that you have a problem,” said Chapman, assuring his audience that no names are required.

Seniors, he said, don’t report unsafe situations because they are afraid of those involved, sometimes afraid of the police and sometimes ashamed that they have a problem.

SeniorBSafe, said Chapman, “will take place one person at a time; one church at time.”

It is not, he said, meant to replace 9-1-1 calls. Immediate emergencies still should go to that line. It is for people, primarily senior citizens, who do not want to call police for fear of retaliation or for whatever reason, but need to talk to someone confidentially about a fear of crime or other issue at home, across the street, in the neighborhood, etc.

Chapman shared the general facts about some seniors who reported scenarios that had them frightened or feeling unsafe. He asked if anyone thought the program was needed. In a show of hands, everyone said yes.

Chapman was in fertile ground at Macedonia. Rev. Lee is part of public service campaign touting the program. He and Chapman met through the Common Ground forum that provides a vehicle to talk about the sensitive subject of race relations.

SeniorBSafe, said Rev. Lee, fits into one of his ongoing messages to his church members: “You are in charge.”

And that is true, he said, even though “sometimes we feel helpless.”

If you need SeniorBSafe help, called CRISIS-7 (274-7477.)