It was just before sunset when a call came in that sent Portsmouth Police racing toward Mound Park. The report was enough to make anyone’s pulse quicken: two men, sitting at a picnic table, and at least one of them supposedly carrying a gun.
🚨 The Call That Sparked It All
- Time: Just before 7 p.m.
- Location: Hutchins side of Mound Park, near Logan Street
- Suspects: Two men — one in a red jacket, one in gray.
- Allegation: A caller claimed one of them had a gun.
- Details? The weapon was seen but never pointed at anyone. The caller couldn’t say which man had it—or even provide names.
👮 Officers Rush to the Scene
Police arrived quickly, scanning the picnic tables for the suspects. But the park was calm:
- No fights.
- No disturbance.
- No men matching the exact description.
Officers tried calling back the witness for more details, but there was no answer. The case, for the night, went cold.
🤔 Gun or Gossip?
This incident highlights the tricky balance between staying safe and overreacting. On one hand, reporting a gun sighting is serious business—police can’t ignore it. On the other hand, without follow-up from the caller, officers are left chasing shadows.
💡 Why Reporting Still Matters
Even if this turned out to be nothing, here’s why it’s still better to call:
- 🔎 Police can investigate quickly before something escalates.
- 📞 A paper trail gets created—important if the same suspects show up again.
- 👥 Community safety improves when people speak up instead of staying silent.
👉 Tip: If you ever report an incident, stay on the line until officers have what they need. The more details you provide, the faster they can confirm what’s real—and what’s rumor.
Bottom line: Tuesday night’s call at Mound Park may have been a false alarm, but it’s a reminder that one phone call can send the cavalry rolling. And in a world where hesitation can cost lives, it’s better to dial 911 and be wrong than to stay silent and regret it.