There is a homeless situation in every city in America. But, this is our town. Our problem to address. Spending money to attract visitors is fruitless if all they see are panhandlers and street sleepers. #ChooseYourPortsmouth With that, here are the reports from Cyn Mackley.
Homeless Campers Reported in Gallia Street Business
Just after 2 p.m., a caller asked officers to check a Gallia Street industrial building. They said homeless campers have been squatting there and could be inside.
Officers checked the building and found it empty, however, there was evidence that people had been staying there.
Officers said it appeared they were getting in through a window and also camping in a shed on the property. Police said they would increase patrols in the area.
Officers Move Homeless Campers Along
Just before 8 p.m., officers responded to the 900 block of Lincoln Street for a report of multiple homeless people attempting to set up camp on a vacant lot.
Officers responded to the scene and told them to move along.
At 7:30 a.m., a local attorney’s office reported a homeless woman lying on the concrete in the back of the building. Officers spoke with the woman and advised her to move along.
Coles Blvd. neighbors reported a man lying in the grass surrounded by his belongings at 4 a.m. The man told officers he was just resting and left the area.
At 9 a.m., callers reported a homeless man going through the dumpster at Sherwin Williams and leaving a mess. Officers discovered the man had an open warrant and took him into custody.
Sidewalk Sleeper Trashes Business
Just after 7 a.m., employees at the Magic Tunnel Car Wash reported that a homeless man sleeping on the property had made a big mess.
Portsmouth City Service headed to the scene to clean up the mess.
Infected, Intoxicated, and Wandering the Streets
Just before 8 a.m., a caller reported a very sick man acting strangely near Gallia and Kendall.
The investigated officer said the subject was apparently on drugs and suffering from infected boils that required medical treatment.
At 5:30 p.m., witnesses reported an injured man who seemed dazed walking around with a bicycle on 7th Street. Police were unable to locate him.
Thank you to Haley Knauff for the amazing headline image. If you have photos from around town or in the county, we’d love to see them. Please submit through our “Contact Us” tab on the website.
