5150

5150 is a number that appears in several unrelated contexts in the United States, including law, music, and popular culture.

In California, Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150 permits the temporary detention and evaluation of a person who is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, or gravely disabled, for up to 72 hours. The purpose is to provide evaluation and stabilization in a controlled setting. If continued treatment is needed, longer holds may be pursued under other provisions with appropriate legal procedures.

5150 is also the title of a 1986 album by the rock band Van Halen. It was the band’s first album with lead singer Sammy Hagar and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The title is widely believed to reference the California involuntary-hold code; the band has said the number evokes a sense of energy and intensity rather than a specific legal action.

In U.S. police radio terminology, 5150 is associated with an emotionally disturbed person. It is used by some agencies, notably in the Los Angeles area, though codes vary by department and jurisdiction.

Because its meanings span legal, musical, and law-enforcement contexts, 5150 is best understood in context.