In a series of nighttime incidents in Portsmouth, local authorities were kept busy responding to various reports.
Strange Lights Spotted on Gallia Street: At 5 a.m., officers were dispatched to Gallia Street following a report from a gas station employee who had seen a mysterious orange light in the sky behind the BP station. However, upon arrival, the officers found nothing unusual.
Overdose on Elm Street: EMS and officers rushed to Elm Street after receiving a report of a man overdosing by the side of the road. Fortunately, the man was alert when the officers arrived, and he was promptly transported to the hospital by PFD medics for treatment.
Just after 2 am, PPD officers responded to a report of a woman passed out in a car at the Speedway on Gallia. Officers took the woman into custody. Counselors from The Counseling Center responded to assist the woman. Police allowed her to leave with them and issued her a summons.
Homeless Man Has No Way Home: Late at night, a homeless man wandering along the Scioto Trail requested assistance but later changed his mind about needing medical attention. He claimed that someone had stolen his money card, leaving him without the means to purchase a bus ticket back to Indiana. Despite their efforts, officers were unable to contact his sister, who was supposed to send him money for a ticket out of town.
Screams in the Night Investigated: At 12:45 a.m., Portsmouth Police officers responded to reports of people screaming outside a home in the 1500 block of Mound Street. Upon arrival, no one answered the door, and there appeared to be nothing suspicious. This incident highlighted the need for improved mental health resources in cases of mental health emergencies.
Ten minutes later, callers reported a group of men chasing two women near Mound Park. Officers conducted a thorough search of the park’s vicinity but did not find anything suspicious.
Man With A Gun Reported on Carlyle Avenue: Callers reported an older man with a gun causing a disturbance on Carlyle Avenue. When deputies spoke to the man, he said a group of men jumped him and assaulted him. Officers learned the man had an open warrant through the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and detained him
These incidents underscore the diverse challenges faced by law enforcement during nighttime hours in the city.
