When someone stops answering their calls, misses their appointments or raises concern among family or friends, police are often called to make sure they are safe.
Wellness checks are a critical part of policing, with Barrie police officers regularly responding to calls involving mental health concerns, personal crises and vulnerable residents in need of support.
In November, police responded to a wellness check for a 90-year-old woman after family members grew concerned when they hadn’t heard from her in several days and learned she had missed a scheduled transit pickup.
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When officers arrived at the residence, they found the front door open.
“When we entered the residence, we initially feared the worst,” said Sgt. James Westcott. “We started a search of the home, and eventually we heard faint cries for help.”
The officers located the woman behind a jammed bathroom door, lying in an empty bathtub.
“She had fallen into the tub and was unable to move for four days, so our focus was on getting her out safely,” Sgt. Westcott said.
The officers carefully lifted the woman from the tub, wrapped her up for warmth and stayed by her side until paramedics could arrive and transport her to a local hospital for assessment.
This situation underscores the important role police play in supporting vulnerable residents and ensuring their safety and well-being.
In most wellness cases, officers attend the scene, assess the situation and work to ensure the individual’s immediate safety. Depending on the circumstances, wellness checks may involve connecting individuals with medical care, crisis intervention teams or community-based support services.
These calls focus on helping people during difficult moments. Officers receive training in crisis response and de-escalation techniques and often work alongside health and community partners to make sure individuals receive the support they need.
Residents are encouraged to contact police if they believe someone may be at risk. Emergencies should be reported by calling 911, while non-urgent concerns can be directed to the non-emergency line at 705-725-7025.
Barrie Police Service offer programs and resources to support vulnerable residents, including Project Lifesaver, the Vulnerable Person Registry, and MCRT and CARE.
We remain committed to supporting residents during difficult moments and encourage anyone with concerns about a person’s safety to reach out for help.
