A tense situation at the Marathon station on Gallia Street could have easily escalated —but thanks to the calm and compassionate response of Portsmouth Police, it ended with empathy, not handcuffs.
Just after 7:30 p.m., a store employee called police for help with a disruptive woman who was yelling and acting aggressively toward customers. The woman refused to leave the store, even after multiple requests from both staff and officers.
Instead of rushing to arrest her, officers de-escalated the situation, calmly escorted her out of the store, and took the time to understand what was really going on. Rather than taking her to jail, they gave her a ride to an address in New Boston, ensuring she got somewhere safe.
This is yet another example of local first responders balancing public safety with compassion, choosing to treat someone in distress with dignity rather than punishment. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best response isn’t force—it’s understanding.