Families heading to dinner got more than they bargained for when a man was spotted with his pants down in the middle of Gallia Street, right in front of the Burger King — and worse, in full view of children.
Several witnesses called police around rush hour, with some saying the man appeared to be urinating in public. By the time officers arrived, however, the man had already fled the scene. It’s unclear whether he was connected to any of the nearby homeless camps, which have been the subject of repeated complaints involving public urination and defecation.
🚫 Yes, It’s Illegal to Drop Your Pants in Public
Let’s be clear: it is against the law to relieve yourself in public, and doing so can result in charges like:
- Disorderly conduct
- Indecent exposure
- Public indecency, especially if children are present
While some may argue desperation — especially among the unhoused — there are limits to what the law (and the public) will tolerate.
👮♂️ What Should You Do If You Witness It?
If you spot someone engaging in public indecency:
- Call 911 and report their location and description immediately
- Avoid confrontation, especially if the individual appears unstable
- Do not take photos or videos, especially of exposed individuals — this could create legal issues for you, too.
🏙 A Bigger Sanitation Issue
This isn’t the first report of public bathroom behavior in Portsmouth. Residents have raised ongoing concerns about people using alleys, bushes, and even front yards as bathrooms — often tied to the homeless crisis and lack of accessible public restrooms.
During a recent City Council discussion, officials cited a situation where a makeshift toilet (a five-gallon bucket) was being used in a backyard tent and dumped into a nearby alley. Sanitation and disease risk were key concerns raised by city leaders.
While public sympathy exists for those without shelter, most agree: dropping your pants on a busy street — especially near kids — crosses a line.
Bottom line: No matter your situation, public streets aren’t toilets. Let’s keep Portsmouth safe, clean, and decent for everyone.
