Officers were dispatched to Domino’s Pizza on Gay Street after Portsmouth Ambulance crews reported a woman repeatedly calling for rides — even though she wasn’t injured.
When police arrived, they learned the woman had missed an appointment at a local drug treatment center because she couldn’t find transportation. She told officers she was trying to get help, but had no way to get there.
Officers contacted the treatment center, which advised that because she missed the intake appointment, she would now need a new referral before being considered for in-patient treatment.
Police attempted to offer alternatives, including medical evaluation at the hospital and other options for assistance. According to officers, the woman declined every option presented and also refused to go to the hospital.
No charges were filed.
A Bigger Issue Behind a Small Call
While the incident ended quietly, it reflects a larger problem they see daily: people trying — and sometimes failing — to navigate a system that often requires appointments, referrals, transportation, and paperwork before help is available.
For first responders, that means they’re increasingly called to situations where someone isn’t hurt or committing a crime — they’re simply out of options.
Police and EMS remind residents that 911 is for emergencies, but acknowledge that many people in crisis don’t know where else to turn when treatment access falls apart.
It’s another example of how gaps in mental health and addiction services often land squarely on law enforcement — one late-night call at a time.