Portsmouth police had their hands full with a string of disorderly conduct calls involving people yelling, wandering through neighborhoods, running through yards, and even taking refuge in a cemetery.
🌙 4 A.M. Wake-Up Call
The day started early when callers reported a man screaming near 17th and Kendall around 4 a.m.
When officers arrived, they took the man into custody, issued him a citation for disorderly conduct, and then released him.
🚨 Yelling at the Health Clinic
A few hours later, around 11 a.m., police were called to Compass Community Health after reports that a man had entered the building yelling and screaming before heading into a restroom.
The man was gone when officers arrived.
However, police located him a short time later near the Offnere Street overpass and took him into custody.
According to the report, the man complained of chest pain after arriving at the jail. The jail nurse reportedly determined the issue appeared consistent with methamphetamine use.
Police arrested Leonard Lowery on a disorderly conduct charge.
🏃 Woman Found Running Through Backyards
Just before 9 p.m., a South Cedar Street resident reported someone running through their backyard.
Officers responded and took a woman into custody.
Police noted they were initially unable to verify her identity and booked her into jail under the name she provided, following jail procedures.
🚪 Knocking on Doors Again
About 45 minutes later, a McKinley Avenue resident reported a man walking through the neighborhood knocking on doors.
The caller told police it wasn’t the first time the man had been in the area.
Officers searched the neighborhood on foot and discovered an open gate in one yard but were unable to locate the individual.
🌳 Cemetery Encounter Ends With Ride to Rehab
The final unusual call of the day came from Greenlawn Cemetery.
Callers reported a man lying near a bush inside the cemetery and yelling.
By the time officers arrived, the yelling had stopped.
Rather than making an arrest, officers placed the man in a cruiser and arranged for a representative from a local rehabilitation facility to pick him up.
👀 Not Every Strange Call Ends in an Arrest
Police frequently respond to calls involving people acting erratically, wandering through neighborhoods, or creating disturbances.
Sometimes those incidents involve criminal behavior.
Other times, officers discover the person is dealing with addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, or a medical crisis.
In those situations, getting someone connected with treatment or services can be more effective than simply taking them to jail.
Still, judging from this collection of calls, Portsmouth residents had plenty to talk about the next morning.
