When something feels off and you can’t reach a loved one, local law enforcement is often the first call people make. Welfare checks — also called “well-being checks” — are requests for officers to visit someone’s home to make sure they’re safe, healthy, and not in immediate danger. These checks can be triggered by missed medical appointments, unusual silence from normally responsive relatives, or concerning comments noticed by healthcare providers.
Portsmouth Police and Scioto County Sheriff’s Deputies handled several of these calls, ensuring vulnerable community members were safe.
VA Clinic Flags a Missed Appointment
The VA Clinic in Chillicothe contacted local officers with concerns about a 75-year-old veteran who missed a scheduled mental-health appointment.
Officers located the man at his home and confirmed he was safe. He told officers he had simply forgotten the appointment — a relief for his care providers who were worried something more serious had happened.
Park Apartments Mix-Up
Police were also sent to the Park Apartments to check on a 91-year-old resident reportedly missing medical appointments.
However, when officers made contact at the listed address, the resident said she had lived there for four years — and was not the person the agency was concerned about. Officers noted the referring agency may have had incorrect information.
Family Worried on 19th Street
Around 8:30 p.m., officers were dispatched after relatives reported they hadn’t heard from a family member living on 19th Street in several days.
Police found no answer at the door and heard nothing inside. They advised they would return in the morning to continue checking on the resident’s welfare.
Friend Sounds the Alarm — But Crisis Averted
At 9 p.m., a man contacted police after being unable to reach a friend for several days. He stressed he wasn’t worried about self-harm, just the unusual silence — but also warned officers to use caution because the friend was known to be very “territorial.”
Before officers even arrived, the missing friend called back, clearing up the concern and eliminating the need for an official welfare check.
Why Welfare Checks Matter
Welfare checks save lives. Officers frequently encounter isolated seniors, individuals experiencing mental-health crises, people with medical conditions who can’t call for help, and situations where early intervention prevents tragedy.
Local officers deserve credit for performing these checks with patience, professionalism, and compassion — often stepping into unknown situations simply to make sure a stranger is okay.
When Should YOU Request a Welfare Check?
Call police for a welfare check if:
- You cannot reach a loved one for an unusual amount of time
- A person with medical or mental-health conditions misses appointments
- Someone makes concerning statements and then disappears
- A neighbor’s routine suddenly changes in a worrisome way
- Mail or packages pile up and you haven’t seen signs of activity
A quick check could prevent a medical crisis, protect a vulnerable person, or bring peace of mind to worried families.