It was a rough night on Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) property as police responded to two separate assault calls just hours apart—one involving a face punch in a car, and the other ending in a domestic violence arrest.
Face Slap Drama at Hisle Park
Just before 11 p.m., a woman called police from near the Hisle Park Apartments, saying she’d been punched in the face by a female passenger riding in her car. After the slap, the suspect got out of the vehicle and walked off.
But the drama didn’t end there. The victim didn’t want to deal with the woman again and asked police to help her return the suspect’s belongings. Officers headed to the apartment complex, but the woman wasn’t home. They did reach her by phone, but she said she was in New Boston—and that the people she was with didn’t want cops showing up. That was enough red flag for officers to impound the belongings for safekeeping and move on.
Domestic Disturbance on Kendall Avenue
Just a little over an hour later, around 12:30 a.m., police were back on PMHA property—this time at a Kendall Avenue apartment, where a woman said her boyfriend had assaulted her.
Officers arrested Cecil Whitt for domestic violence and booked him into the Scioto County Jail, ending the chaotic night with one less threat on the streets.
Trouble in Public Housing
The back-to-back calls highlight growing concerns about violence and safety on public housing properties. While PMHA provides essential housing for many families, these incidents are a reminder that community safety still relies on swift police response and tenant accountability.
As always, if you see something—say something. Police are urging residents to report violence and suspicious activity before situations escalate.
