Another Gallia Street business called Portsmouth police after people camping behind the property began interfering with the company’s ability to operate.
At approximately 11:30 a.m., the manager of the AT&T Wireless store contacted officers and said homeless individuals were gathering behind the business and living in the nearby wooded area.
The manager told police the situation had reached the point where the store’s cleaning crew was refusing to come onto the property to do its work.
Officers responded and spoke with the people behind the business. They were told to gather their belongings and leave the property.
According to the police report, the group cooperated and began moving out of the area.
The call is the latest in a series of complaints involving camps behind businesses along Gallia Street. Recent reports have included fires, suspected drug activity, people living in vehicles, belongings spread across private property, and customers or workers who no longer feel comfortable approaching local businesses.
Those complaints leave business owners repeatedly calling police to clear private property so employees, contractors, and customers can safely use their parking lots and entrances.
No arrests were reported during the AT&T incident.
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