Holiday Inn or Homeless Hub? Ongoing Incidents at Downtown Hotel Raise Big Questions for Portsmouth’s Future

The Holiday Inn on Second Street is supposed to be a beacon for out-of-town visitors—a comfortable place to stay near the Ohio River, Shawnee State University, and the heart of downtown. But in recent months, it’s become something else entirely: a magnet for chaos. Just after 6 a.m., staff reported a repeat offender—a man who keeps showing up to steal coffee—back on the property. Hotel employees said they’ve run him off at least five times and now want him banned. But like clockwork, he vanished before police could arrive. That incident is just one in a string of troubling encounters that have plagued the property: ☕ Coffee Thieves, Couch Sleepers & Criminal Trespassers Sunday morning, a woman well-known to law enforcement—and nearly every business in downtown Portsmouth—showed up again. The agitated woman, reportedly banned from multiple businesses, was found wandering the property. Police arrived to remind her she was trespassed and sent her packing. An hour later? Another call. This time, a mystery napper was found snoozing on a bench along the west side of the hotel. By the time police got there, the impromptu guest had already ghosted. In March, a man slumped on a bench outside for hours raised concern among staff and guests. When police checked him out, they found he had a warrant out of Adams County—and a woman’s wallet that wasn’t his. 🔧 Travelers Targeted It’s not just the guests getting spooked. Back in October, workers staying at the hotel for an out-of-town job woke up to find their company trucks had been broken into overnight. The theft prompted an early morning 911 call and another black eye for a hotel trying to maintain its reputation. 🛋️ Lobby as Living Room This isn’t new. Last March, an out-of-towner with nowhere to go decided the lobby couch would be his bed for the night. When confronted, he showed an Oklahoma ID. Officers tried to help him find shelter, but the local facility refused him. 🏨 Why It Matters All of this matters for one big reason: Portsmouth wants to be a destination. City leaders have poured time and resources into promoting downtown as a riverfront tourist zone, an innovation hub fueled by its proximity to Shawnee State University, and a gateway to outdoor adventures in the Appalachian foothills. But if every few days there’s a 911 call from the city’s most visible hotel, it’s hard to convince tourists, investors, and visiting families that Portsmouth is ready for primetime. 💡 What's the Solution? Better coordination between hotels and local shelters could help reduce loitering and trespassing. Increased downtown patrols might deter some of the repeat disturbances. State-level reform of how rehab facilities and mental health centers discharge clients could ease the flow of unhoused individuals into Portsmouth’s streets and hotel lobbies. Support for local tourism efforts must include practical tools to keep the area around key hotels safe and welcoming. Private Security is the standard operating procedure for many businesses. However, the concept seems foreign to high crime business areas like this and Speedway. Portsmouth is working hard to reinvent itself—but as the chaos at the Holiday Inn proves, you can’t build a destination without first getting control of the front door.

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