At 9 a.m., a resident on Grandview Avenue made an unusual call to 911: a woman kept checking her mailbox, and she had no idea who she was or what she was looking for. The caller couldn’t offer a description, just a sense that something wasn’t right.
When officers reviewed nearby security footage, they recognized the woman immediately. She’s a troubled homeless individual who’s been arrested multiple times in recent weeks for a range of offenses, including disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.
Officers assured the resident they would warn the woman to stay off the property — or face further trespassing charges.
But this one small incident reflects a much larger problem: Portsmouth’s growing struggle with homelessness.
From Annoyance to Alarm: When Public Safety Meets Social Crisis
What may seem like a simple nuisance — a stranger checking your mailbox — can feel unsettling, especially when it happens repeatedly. But for law enforcement, these situations often involve people battling mental illness, addiction, or simply trying to survive another day without shelter.
A Long-Awaited Step Forward?
At Monday’s upcoming city council meeting, Portsmouth leaders will finally consider a resolution to establish a dedicated taskforce to address the city’s homelessness crisis.
The goal? To move from reactive policing to proactive solutions — housing, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and community partnerships that provide more than just a warning or a pair of handcuffs.
Residents want peace of mind. People living on the streets need a path forward. And the city needs a plan that goes beyond mailbox patrol.
Monday’s meeting could be the first real move in that direction.