Gunshots or Fireworks? Fights, Bonfires, Passed-Out Drivers & Door-Bangers: Police Ring in the New Year the Hard Way

As fireworks lit up the sky, police radios lit up too. From New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day, officers bounced from loud-bang scares to intoxicated fights, bonfires, door-bangers, and multiple people found slumped behind the wheel. Here’s how the first hours of 2026 unfolded on local police logs: 🕚 11:00 p.m. — “Those Were Gunshots!” A 6th Street caller reported loud bangs they insisted were gunshots. Officers checked the area and spoke with a man nearby who said it was fireworks. No signs of trouble found. 🕦 11:30 p.m. — Apartment Fight, No Charges At the 16th Street apartments, a woman reported being assaulted by another female. An ambulance was refused. Officers spoke with both parties; neither wanted to pursue charges, stories didn’t match, and no visible injuries were found. All involved were intoxicated and agreed to separate for the night. 🎇 Just After Midnight — Bonfire Put Out A report of a bonfire and fireworks on Chateau Drive brought out responders. The Portsmouth Fire Department extinguished the fire. 🔫 1:00 a.m. — Another Gunshot Call An 8th Street caller reported hearing gunshots. Officers checked the area but found nothing suspicious. 🔊 1:05 a.m. — Loud Music Warning On Grant Street, officers responded to a loud-music complaint. Music was turned off after police knocked. A woman refused to open the door and was warned loudly that citations would follow if officers had to return. 🚗 1:14 a.m. — Passed Out at the Wheel At Gallia and Offnere, a caller reported a man passed out behind the wheel. Police took him into custody and had the vehicle towed. 💥 2:00 a.m. — Domestic Call, No Report In Wayne Hills, a woman reported an assault by her boyfriend. Officers found no visible injuries. The woman was worried the man might remove tags from her vehicle. The man claimed she hit him but refused to speak with police. Both appeared highly intoxicated. No statement. No report. 🚓 2:30 a.m. — Disturbance Ends in Jail Officers responded to a disturbance at a Ritchie Street home. A man was taken into custody and booked into the Scioto County Jail. 🚪 4:00 a.m. — Stranger Beating on Doors Residents on Orizaba Lane reported someone pounding on doors. Officers checked but couldn’t locate anyone. 🕔 5:00 a.m. — Door-Banger Found, Ride Home Given On Oakland Crescent, callers again reported someone in black beating on doors. Officers found a very intoxicated woman who’d been dropped off by a sober driver but realized too late she’d lost her keys. With no safe place to go, an officer gave her a ride to her sister’s house on Cherry Street. 🗓️ New Year’s Day — More of the Same 🕛 Noon — Same Guy, Same Street Police were back at Ritchie Street when the man arrested earlier returned, yelling, cussing, and allegedly breaking things. A caller reported he had a brick and was trying to break windows. Officers arrived, helped him retrieve property, and gave him a ride elsewhere. No charges filed. 🚙 7:40 p.m. — Another Driver Slumped Over A 7th Street caller reported a maroon Chevy running in the street with a woman slumped over the wheel. Police took her into custody and had the vehicle towed. ⚠️ A Familiar Holiday Pattern Fireworks mistaken for gunfire. Fights fueled by alcohol. Bonfires, door-bangers, and drivers passed out before the year even got started.

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