Rockland — Pen Bay Healthcare is helping to protect senior citizens.

The Knox Center for Long Term Care is the first nursing home in the Midcoast area to join Senior Crimestoppers, a nationally acclaimed crime prevention program that operates in nursing homes, assisted living, retirement communities and Housing and Urban Development housing venues across the United States. Benefits of the program include personal lock boxes for the safekeeping of patients’ valuables and personal items; ongoing education for management, staff, patients and family; as well as a tips hot line staffed around the clock by professionally trained counselors where anyone can call and provide anonymous information about any incident or occurrence.

"There is a 0 percent incidence of crime at the Knox Center," said Carl Chadwick, Knox Center administrator, in a news release. “However, we are implementing this program for patients in our skilled rehabilitation unit because we desire to preserve their level of dignity. With the new lockbox program, they can retain possession of their valuables, which will enhance their rehabilitation experience while allowing them to maintain their known level of self dependence as if they were home." Lockboxes have been installed in all rooms of the skilled rehabilitation unit, and Knox Center staff are undergoing training.

The Senior Crimestoppers program is made possible through an investment by The First Bank of Damariscotta. The First is committed to the safety and security of seniors in the community and views their support of this project as a continuation of this mission. Upon enrolling in the program, as a part of The First’s investment, Knox Center will receive $250 from the Senior Crimestopper's "Wish Comes True” program each of the seven years that the program runs.

"We are sincerely grateful to both The First and Senior Crimestoppers for supporting the Knox Center and their local community,” Chadwick said. “Because of their generosity, our patients will directly benefit in ways which enhance both dignity and quality of life.”

To learn more about the Knox Center's participation in the program, call the facility 594-6800. For more information about the Senior Crimestoppers nationwide program, visit seniorcrimestoppers.org or call the organization at 800-529-9096.