Portsmouth Police Officers stayed very busy responding to calls involving homeless individuals.
Just after 8 a.m., a caller reported a man lying in the grass near a dentist’s office at 7th and Chillicothe Streets. When officers spoke to the man, he told them he had just been released from jail and wanted to go to Day One Treatment Center for help. Officers gave the man directions.
A 4th Street resident contacted police at 1:30 p.m. and asked them to move homeless people who had set up camp on his property. Officers spoke to a homeless man, who then got his belongings together and left the area.
At 6:30 p.m., residents at Alexandria House reported three homeless people hanging around the entrance of the apartment building. They feared the group might try to come inside. However, they left before the police arrived.
A 3rd Street resident called to complain that squatters in his neighbor’s house were stealing his electricity. They told the man the homeowner gave them permission to stay there and use his electricity, but when he checked with the owner, he denied giving anyone permission.
The alleged squatters left the area before police arrived.
Just before 6 p.m., a Robinson Avenue Caller reported a man stripping items from an abandoned house. Officers issued the suspect a summons in lieu of arrest.
The owner of a Gallia Street business reported several people squatting inside an outbuilding on her property at 9 p.m. When officers arrived on the scene, the people were gone. However, they had a fire burning inside the building. Officers put out the flames and agreed to have extra patrols in the area.
A caller reported a woman pushing a buggy was in the road chasing after cars just after midnight. When police arrived on the scene, they discovered a troubled homeless woman with whom they have frequent contact. They said she seemed to be okay and the matter was just a misunderstanding.
However, the next afternoon, callers spotted her stumbling in the road once more. Police called for an ambulance and took her to the hospital for mental health treatment.