Portsmouth police continued their ongoing effort to clear homeless encampments on Thursday with multiple sweeps across the city, including at Tracy Park, Mabert Road, and overnight checks at the Roy Rogers Esplanade and Post Office.
Morning Sweep at Tracy Park
Around 7:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to Tracy Park after receiving a complaint about three homeless campers littering near the statue. Police worked with Portsmouth City Code Enforcement to clear the area of both the campers and the accumulated trash.
Camp Dismantled on Mabert Road
Just minutes later, officers responded to another encampment on Mabert Road. They stood by while one man packed up his belongings and assisted with dismantling the camp. During the cleanup, officers spotted several shopping carts from the nearby Save A Lot grocery store and notified employees to retrieve them.
Another Mabert Camp Later That Day
At noon, officers returned to Mabert Road after another report of a homeless individual camping in the area. They located the man, instructed him to clean up the litter, and warned him he would be cited for trespassing if he returned to the property.
Overnight Checks Continue
As part of the department’s stepped-up patrols to address illegal camping, officers checked the Roy Rogers Esplanade and the Post Office after midnight for signs of overnight stays.
Framing the Bigger Picture: A Crisis Playing Out in Parks and Parking Lots
These incidents are not isolated—they reflect the mounting pressure on local resources as the city continues to grapple with a growing homeless population. As winter approaches, those without shelter are increasingly taking refuge in parks, underpasses, ATM vestibules, abandoned buildings, and business alcoves.
The city faces a delicate balancing act between protecting public spaces and dealing humanely with individuals in crisis—many of whom are struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or both. With shelters at capacity and few long-term solutions in place, police and city officials are left dealing with the visible front lines of a much larger issue.
