It was a hectic day for Portsmouth Police officers as they responded to a string of domestic incidents across multiple Portsmouth Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) apartment complexes, with tempers flaring, protection orders violated, and children caught in the middle.
Here’s a breakdown of a day filled with tension—and yet another reminder of the ongoing challenges facing public housing communities under pressure.
Wayne Hills: Repeat Visits to Thomas Avenue
9:00 a.m. — Arrest for Violating a Protection Order
Police were called to a Thomas Avenue apartment in the Wayne Hills complex after a caller reported fighting and screaming coming from an apartment where children were present. Officers arrested Makayla Adkins, who was found to be in violation of a court-issued protection order.
- Adkins had previously been charged with domestic violence in October.
- A protection order was issued at that time, which she allegedly violated.
- She appeared in court for that violation on December 1, and is scheduled for back-to-back court hearings on December 2.
4:30 p.m. — Another Domestic Call with EMS Response
Officers returned to Thomas Avenue later in the day for a report of an active physical domestic. The male suspect fled the scene in a black Honda, possibly headed to High Street or Portsmouth’s East End.
- EMS responded to check on the woman involved, but transport to the hospital was not required.
- Officers notified Children’s Services and took a report.
Farley Square: Woman Calls Police for Help Getting Man to Leave
Around 10:00 a.m., police were dispatched to Farley Square on a report of a man and woman fighting. By the time officers arrived, the male had already left.
- The woman told police he does not live at the apartment, and the argument had been verbal only, with no threats or physical violence.
- She said she had asked him to leave several times, but he refused until she threatened to call police.
- Officers advised her to call back immediately if he returned and caused another disturbance.
Hisle Park: Dispute Over Children, No Legal Custody Arrangement
At noon, officers were back on Thomas Avenue, this time at Hisle Park Apartments, for a report that a woman’s fiancé had kicked her out of their apartment and was threatening to take their children to an undisclosed location.
- The woman told officers they were not legally married and had no formal custody agreement in place.
- She stated she wanted to take her children and leave for her parents’ house.
- Officers allowed her to leave peacefully with her children, ending the situation without further escalation.
Bigger Picture: Strained Systems, Repeated Calls
These incidents underscore the ongoing issues of domestic violence, housing insecurity, and strained law enforcement resources in public housing communities across Portsmouth:
- Officers are frequently called to the same locations multiple times in a single day.
- Children are regularly present during volatile situations, triggering mandatory CPS notifications.
- Legal protections like protection orders often go ignored, requiring follow-up arrests.
As PMHA complexes continue to experience high call volumes and frequent repeat disturbances, law enforcement and social services are left juggling urgent response needs with limited tools for long-term resolution.
Stay tuned to Scioto County Daily News for updates on these and other stories shaping our local neighborhoods