Welfare check leads to life-preserving care

Police are mostly associated with crime response. But, part of the Eugene Police Department's mission is protecting the public, including checking on the well-being of people who are thought to be in peril. A welfare check call by a worried employer then response by CAHOOTS, EPD, and Eugene Springfield Fire, may have helped save a man's life yesterday.

A Eugene man had not been to work and his employer was concerned about him and called police. CAHOOTS responded first by phone and then went to the man's apartment and knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Two EPD officers were called next and when they arrived, they gathered enough information to indicate they needed to enter the apartment under community caretaking. They were able to get a key from property management and entered the apartment. The man was on the floor and was unresponsive. EPD officers called for medics and ESF arrived and after stabilizing him, transported the man to a hospital for treatment.

There are safeguards and policies around when and how welfare checks are done. Oregon Revised Statute, Community Caretaking (ORS 133.033), authorizes peace officers to enter or remain on another's premises, to stop/redirect traffic, and to aid persons when it reasonably appears necessary in order to: a. Prevent serious harm to a person or property. b. Render aid to ill or injured persons. c. Locate missing persons.