ortsmouth police handled another round of calls involving people sleeping outside businesses, trespassing on private property, arguing at the homeless shelter, and lying on the ground near local landmarks.
The calls show the continuing strain on businesses, shelters, police, and residents as homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, and public safety concerns keep colliding in public spaces.
Workers Scared at Dari Crème
Police were called to the Dari Crème on 2nd Street after a caller reported two homeless people sitting on the picnic tables and refusing to leave.
The caller said the situation was scaring employees and reminded police the restaurant is private property.
However, the two people left before officers arrived.
Warrant Arrest at Tracy Park
Around 1 a.m., officers responded to Tracy Park for a report of a suspicious person.
Police took Chrystal Johnson into custody on an open warrant and booked her into the Scioto County Jail on charges of criminal trespass and failure to appear.
Johnson, who was listed as homeless, later appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court and pleaded guilty.
The court sentenced her to 30 days in jail, with 29 days suspended, and placed her on probation for two years. She was then released.
Man Says He Is Afraid to Sleep
Police were also called to Horizon House Apartments after someone reported a shirtless man wearing a hat and carrying a red backpack was “nodding out” while standing up.
Officers found the man nearby and spoke with him.
According to the report, the man was not nodding off. He told officers he was homeless and had been struggling to sleep because he was afraid people would steal his belongings.
The report did not indicate that he was arrested or taken for medical treatment.
Argument at Homeless Shelter
Officers responded to the 8th Street homeless shelter after a report that two men were arguing.
Shelter staff requested that one of the men leave and not return.
Police gave the man a ride to Southern Ohio Medical Center, where he voluntarily went for a referral.
Camp Set Up at Mortuary
Police were called to Daehler Mortuary around 10 a.m. after someone reported homeless individuals had set up camp on the side steps of the building.
Officers spoke with the people there and asked them to move along.
They complied, and no arrests were reported.
Man Throws Belongings Around Lobby
At Findlay Manor, police responded after a caller reported that a man with long hair and tan shorts was in the lobby throwing his personal belongings around and creating a mess.
The caller said she did not believe the man was a resident.
Officers spoke with him, and he gathered his belongings and left the building.
Woman Sleeping in Shade at Museum
Police were also called to the Southern Ohio Museum on Gallia Street after a caller reported a woman with pink hair wearing a camouflage shirt, black shorts, and sunglasses was lying near the stage steps close to the door and appeared not to be moving.
Officers checked on her and found she was okay.
The woman told police she was simply sleeping in the shade and trying to stay out of the way.
Officers told her to leave the property, and she complied.
Man Lying Near Kroger Pharmacy
At Kroger on Gay Street, an employee called police after spotting a man lying on the ground outside the pharmacy who appeared to need help.
Police checked on the man, who declined medical treatment.
According to the report, he was okay and planned to sit in the shade at the Drop-In Center.
Businesses, Shelters, and Police Left Managing the Crisis
None of the calls involved major violence, but together they show the constant churn of low-level crises playing out across Portsmouth.
Restaurant workers are frightened by people sitting on their property. Mortuary staff find people camping on the steps. Museum employees discover people sleeping near the entrance. Shelter staff call police when arguments get out of hand. Officers check on people lying on sidewalks, near pharmacies, and outside businesses.
In many cases, police are not making arrests. They are waking people up, asking them to move along, offering rides, checking for medical problems, contacting shelters, or trying to keep businesses accessible for employees and customers.
But the calls keep coming, and the same question remains: Where are people supposed to go when they have nowhere to sleep, nowhere to safely store their belongings, and nowhere they are allowed to simply exist without eventually becoming someone else’s police call?
