We're Taking Him to Bellevue

A fairly recent blog entry referred to the practice of taking the publicly disturbed to NYC's famed Bellevue for psychiatric observation.  The practice has been in effect for decades, and is freshly recounted when reading the story of Raymond Velasquez, 34, of Brooklyn, who recently spent two hours 25 feet off the ground on a utility pole in Times Square in the middle of the day rapping and performing calisthenics.

A large response was made, and a large audience ensued. According to the story in the NYT, "Mr. Velazquez finally surrendered shortly after 11 A.M., Tuesday.  That afternoon he was evaluated, under standard procedure at Bellevue Hospital Center." 

Certainly due to privacy regulations, his medical condition was not released.  It's not even disclosed if he was released.  Look up, I guess. But he is expected to be charged with reckless endangerment and other infractions.  Screwy or not, closing Times Square down for several hours is still frowned on.

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