It’s the visit that can save a friend’s life.
A wellness check, or welfare check, is an in-person call from local law enforcement to someone whose behavior has become suspicious in some way. Usually requested by a friend or family member, the service is available to everyone and is something that cops take seriously, says patrolman Justin Insalaco of West Windsor, NJ, who has performed dozens of these concerned house calls.
Wellness checks are getting increased attention after “SNL” cast member Pete Davidson received one from NYPD officials this weekend. The comedian, who recently broke off his engagement with Ariana Grande, posted some alarming messages on his Instagram, before deleting his account altogether.
“I really don’t want to be on this earth anymore,” he wrote. “I actually don’t know how much longer I can last.”
Insalaco says any threat of suicide — verbal, over text or on social media, like Davidson — is a good reason to get the police involved.
“If there’s genuine concern for someone’s well-being, there’s no harm in us going to check it out,” he says.
When the cops show up, Insalaco says “we try to get an idea of someone’s state of mind. If we believe there’s [something wrong], there are resources . . . we’ll ask them, very specifically, are you suicidal?”
Also raising awareness of wellness checks: The 34-year-old CEO of HQ Trivia and former co-founder of Vine was found dead of an apparent drug overdose Sunday at his Manhattan apartment, police sources told The Post.
Colin Kroll’s body was discovered when his girlfriend called cops because she’d been unable to get a hold of him. She and cops went to Kroll’s Nolita pad on Spring Street, where his body was discovered face-down in his bedroom just after midnight, police said.
Marijuana and heroin were found near his body, and an envelope containing white powder was also recovered in the apartment, sources said. Kroll was declared dead at the scene.
But risk of suicide or drug overdose aren’t the only reasons to request a wellness check, Insalco says.
Police also perform this service if there’s concern for an elderly relative. Insalaco says they often get calls from out-of-state family members who are worried because they can’t get a hold of an aging parent or grandparent.
He recommends that people reach out to law enforcement — either via 911 or by calling the local precinct directly — anytime violence might be on the table.
“You know if your loved one is acting out of character,” he says. “If it seems like they can be detrimental to themselves or others, call.”