Portsmouth Police had to break up an unusual mid-afternoon gathering after a caller reported a man sitting in a chair in the middle of the road just after 1 p.m. at 11th Street and Chillicothe Street.
When officers arrived, they found a group collecting in the roadway with no permit on file to block traffic. One man confirmed they were holding an informal gathering but had not received permission to use the street.
For everyone’s safety, officers instructed him to move the group to the edges of the roadway and free up traffic. He agreed and said he would apply for the proper permit before attempting to gather again next weekend.
🚦 Yes — You Need a Permit to Block a Street
Whether it’s:
- A protest
- A fundraiser
- A vigil
- A community event
- Or even a group hangout with lawn chairs
You must get a permit from the City of Portsmouth if you plan to use the roadway or obstruct traffic in any way.
Failing to do that means:
- Your event can be shut down
- You may face citations
- You could be held liable if someone gets hurt
How to Hold a Safe, Legal Street Event
If you want to use a roadway:
Contact the city in advance to obtain the proper permit.
Allow enough processing time — same-day approvals rarely happen.
Have a traffic-control plan (cones, barricades, etc.).
Ensure pedestrian safety — kids, pets, and inattentive drivers don’t mix.
Follow all instructions from officers if they stop to check your setup.
Portsmouth Police handled this one quickly and calmly — redirecting people, keeping traffic moving, and making sure that next time, everything’s done by the book.