In a heartening showcase of community vigilance and police efficacy, the Westlake Ohio Police Department shared a success story from their "Are You OK" program on social media. According to the City of Westlake Ohio Police Department's Facebook post, an elderly resident, who was a participant in the program, triggered an alert after failing to answer their routine daily call last Friday, January 23.
When the dispatch received the alert, they attempted to call again and only reached the resident's voicemail. Officers were then promptly dispatched to perform a welfare check at the individual's home. Upon their arrival, with no response at the door, the officers gained entry into the house using a garage code obtained from the neighbors. They found the woman had fallen in the family room and was unable to get up by herself. "The officers helped her up and talked to her to assure she had no injuries," the City of Westlake Ohio Police Department post detailed. The initiative, aimed at checking in on the welfare of the elderly, potentially prevented a much graver outcome.
The Westlake Police Department emphasize the importance of community care, especially during adverse weather conditions, urging citizens to frequently check on their neighbors and relatives. The "Are You OK" program is a collaborative effort with Westlake Community Services, representing a proactive approach to safeguarding the well-being of the city's vulnerable residents. Interested parties have been encouraged to contact Outreach Coordinator Donna Feorene for more information or to sign up for this protective measure.
