As snow blanketed Portsmouth and temperatures plunged into the dangerous zone, the city’s ongoing homeless crisis took center stage once again — playing out in tents, condemned buildings, emergency shelters, and even family driveways.
Cold Camps and a Warrant Arrest
Just before 7 p.m. Saturday, officers spotted two people huddled at a known homeless camp on the hillside in the 2400 block of Mabert Road. With bitter cold and snow making the situation potentially life-threatening, one man was taken into custody on an open warrant and booked into the Scioto County Jail — effectively getting him out of the weather, for now.
But that safety is temporary. A revolving door of charges, court appearances, and recognizance releases has left many homeless individuals, even those with criminal histories, back on the street within hours or days — with no clear long-term solution.
Back the Next Day
By the next morning, officers were called back to the same area after a report that people previously run off had broken into a condemned house. Officers cleared the property, but it’s a grim reminder: when there’s nowhere safe to go, people will find somewhere — no matter how dangerous.
Fires in the Camps, Trouble at the Shelter
Later Sunday, officers responded to a report of a fire with thick black smoke at a homeless camp near Young and Harmon Streets. Police told campers to extinguish the blaze — a likely attempt at warmth in frigid conditions, but one that could have easily turned deadly.
That same day, the 8th Street Homeless Shelter contacted police twice: once to remove a troubled woman with a long history of arrests, and again for a second woman causing multiple issues. In the first case, officers gave the woman a ride to the 6th Street Warming Station — an essential service in times like these, but one that is not always a long-term option for those with complex needs.
A Family Divided
The crisis also hits close to home. A man on 4th Street called police to report his brother-in-law, homeless and possibly intoxicated, was living out of a car in his driveway. He wanted him removed — but the woman of the house said the man had permission to be there. Officers found no cause to intervene.
Beyond a Policing Problem
These incidents — all within a single weekend — illustrate a cycle repeating in real time: homelessness, bitter cold, emergency calls, jail, shelter, conflict, release, and repeat. While officers, shelter workers, and warming stations do what they can, the need far outpaces the resources.
What Can Be Done?
Should we be asking more from our city, our county, and ourselves? What happens when emergency shelters reach capacity? How do we support individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues who can’t be served by a basic shelter model? What can you — as a neighbor, a voter, a community member — do to help?
Sound off in the comments. Let us know what you think Portsmouth can and should do about our growing homeless crisis — especially when the weather turns deadly.
