From passed-out people on benches to talks of bombs and snipers, Wednesday brought another round of chaos across Portsmouth as the city’s growing homeless crisis played out block by block, sidewalk by sidewalk.
Here’s how it all unfolded in just one day:
😴 9:00 AM – Passed Out on the Esplanade
Callers reported a woman slumped over on a bench for more than three hours. Fearing the worst, they called police. But when officers arrived, they found no intoxication and no crime — just another person with nowhere else to be.
🚲 10:30 AM – Bike Camper at Clare Cleaners
The property owner at Clare Cleaners called to say a man had been camped on the premises since the night before — complete with bicycle. Officers checked the scene, found the man, and were told he was “just trying to stay out of the heat.” He agreed to move along.
🧳 10:45 AM – Sidewalk Sleeper at AAA
More calls came in — this time, a man spotted lying on the sidewalk surrounded by bags. Before officers arrived, he packed up and disappeared.
🏚️ 11:00 AM – Breaking into Condemned Homes
Callers near Mabert Road and the Dash Thru reported homeless individuals trying to move into a condemned house. When officers investigated, they found the structure was too dangerous to enter. Code Enforcement was called to deal with the situation — part of a pattern of squatters occupying unsafe buildings in a city with no clear solution in place.
💣 12:30 PM – Panhandler Mentions Bombs, Grenades, and Snipers
A passerby was startled when an older man panhandling suddenly started talking about explosives and snipers. Officers tracked him down and determined he wasn’t a threat — just another troubled individual slipping through the cracks.
🛏️ 6:20 PM – Gallia Sidewalk Sleeper
At PNC’s main entrance, witnesses reported a man lying on the sidewalk. By the time police arrived, he’d already moved on — but the pattern repeated.
🐶 6:45 PM – Dogs in Danger at 11th & Gay?
Concerned citizens called about a man panhandling with two dogs, worried the animals had no water. Officers found the man in the shade and the dogs with full bowls. He was fine — but frustrated. Officers advised him of the complaints.
💥 The Bigger Picture: A City on the Brink
From early morning to nightfall, Portsmouth’s streets tell the story of a city overwhelmed by a tidal wave of homelessness, untreated mental illness, and desperation. People are sleeping in alleys, camping on private property, breaking into condemned homes, and panhandling for food — or just attention.
There are no quick fixes — shelters are full, resources are thin, and mental health support is nearly non-existent. Code Enforcement is playing cleanup, officers are tired of moving people along, and residents are worried about what they’ll see next on their walk to the bank or drive through town.
📢 One thing’s for sure: Portsmouth’s sidewalks are no longer just for walking. They’re where the city’s humanitarian crisis now lives — in full view of everyone, but addressed by no one.