Do you have someone who is close to you that you are worried about because there is no information about them? If the answer to the question is yes, police welfare check may be the answer. What is a police welfare check?
Definition
A police welfare, which is also known as a police wellness check, is a term used to call the situation when the police check up on someone to ensure that they are doing well. In short, this kind of check is to make sure that someone is alive, safe, and is totally fine.
Reason Why the Police are Involved
While it is possible to ask someone to check the condition of the one that you are worried about, it is not recommended without involving the police because you don’t know what actually happens. The person may become a crime victim. That’s why it is better for you to involve the police from the beginning.
One of the most common reasons why the police are usually needed is because you cannot check on the person that you are worried about by yourself. For example, if you live in New York and suspect that your cousin who is currently in Los Angeles is having a suicidal thought, you might not be able to go to Los Angeles to check them out or might not make it on time. In this case, calling the police is the best option so that they can check out your cousin as soon as possible. In the end, they will notify you about the situation. If something goes wrong, you can start to take actions to address the issue and get your cousin the help they need.
Right Time to Request a Police Welfare Check
There are some common reasons to call the police for a welfare check, including:
- You see there is suspicious activity at the home of your neighborhood at midnight.
- You suspect your suicidal friend who lives alone may do something fatal and you cannot reach out to them.
- Your grandmother or grandfather who has a severe illness lives alone and you cannot reach out to them.
- You haven’t seen your neighbor for a few days and there is no answer when you knock on their door.
Way to Request a Police Welfare Check
There are several steps to follow to request a police welfare check, as follows:
- For those who suspect that a person is in active or in danger, you can call 911. However, if you want to know about your neighborhood who you haven’t heard from in a few days, it is better for you to call the police non-emergency number as it is serious but not necessarily life-threatening concerns. In order to find the non-emergency number, please check the official website of your police department. Make sure to call the local precinct of your distant friend or relative if you are calling on their behalf.
- When you are connected to the operator, introduce yourself and then provide them with the information about the person that you are worried about, including their full name and their address. Aside from that, you should also state the reason why you are worried and why you think they could be in danger.
- If the police find that someone who you are worried about is fine, they will notify you with such information. If someone is not well, they will focus on the most immediate issue at hand. For instance, if the person is injured, they will call for medical assistance before calling you.
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