A Portsmouth police call that could have turned into a welfare concern ended with a simple act of kindness.
Just after 4 pm, an officer was called to the area of U.S. 52 and State Route 335 after someone reported an elderly man with a walker heading west toward Portsmouth.
The officer located the man on top of the overpass.
According to the police log, the man was alert and oriented. He explained that he did not have a car and simply needed to pick up a few things from Walmart.
So the officer gave him a ride.
The man was taken to Walmart and dropped off safely.
No arrest.
No emergency.
Just someone who needed a little help getting where he was going.
Most police logs are filled with fights, thefts, crashes, drugs, and people having very bad days.
Every once in a while, there is a call like this.
An elderly man needed groceries or supplies.
An officer had a patrol car.
Problem solved.