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Life in Portsmouth is rarely dull, and local police prove daily that no call is too strange to check out. Here’s a look at some of the more unusual reports that came across dispatch recently:
- Sleeping in the SUV
Just before 6 a.m., officers were called to 6th and Brown Streets after someone reported a woman unresponsive in a red SUV. When police arrived, they discovered there was nothing sinister at all—the residents had sprayed their home for bugs and were simply sleeping in their vehicle for the night. Everyone was safe and accounted for.
- Cemetery Confusion
Around 9 a.m., a caller said a man in a blue van or SUV was following his grandchildren through Greenlawn Cemetery and making threats. Police investigated and found no direct threats. Instead, it turned out to be a case of misunderstanding. The man believed his grandchildren were being followed. Once cleared up, all parties went on their way.
- The Mystery of the Barking Hound
By 11 a.m., complaints came in from Harding Avenue about a hound dog that wouldn’t stop barking in the bottoms behind a home. Officers tried to track down the source of the noise but couldn’t pin it down. It seemed the dog was wandering through the woods, possibly chasing something, and managed to stay one step ahead.
- Stroller Scare
The strangest call of the day may have been around 3 p.m., when witnesses on Kinneys Lane said a shirtless man in purple and yellow shorts was pushing a baby stroller erratically. They feared he might be under the influence after he nearly pushed the stroller into traffic twice. Officers responded quickly but were unable to locate the man or the stroller.
These incidents might not have ended in arrests or citations, but they highlight the wide variety of situations officers are called to handle. From bug spray sleepovers to phantom barking dogs, Portsmouth police have to check into everything—and the community is safer for it.
