Portsmouth is still trying to cope with the fallout from the homeless crisis.
Workers trying to take care of business in the 5000 block of River Road called PPD to report that homeless people had left trash and other items all over the area.
Additionally, the homeless campers were jumping in front of trucks while workers were trying to get things done.
Officers contacted Portsmouth City Code Enforcement, who came to the scene and advised the people to pack up their things and leave the area.
Just before 6 am, a caller reported suspicious individuals with flashlights in the parking lot of Frank & Steins Lounge. When officers arrived at the bar, they discovered two homeless individuals who said they were searching for cigarette butts. Officers advised them to move alone.
At 8:30 am, employees at the Portsmouth Public Library reported that a homeless man they’d previously asked to leave the property had returned. They said the man had spread junk all over the area and had two aggressive dogs with him.
Employees told police they were worried about their liability for the dogs. An officer asked the man to leave, and he agreed.
The same man prompted a police call to Long John Silvers at 6 pm after he tied his dog to someone’s truck and set up camp in the restaurant parking lot. However, the man left before the police arrived.
Get caught up on our recent reporting about the current homeless crisis.