It was a busy weekend for Portsmouth Police officers, not with major arrests or drug busts, but with something just as important: helping Children Services workers do one of the toughest jobs in the county.
Escort from New Boston
The first call came from neighboring New Boston. Police there asked Portsmouth officers to follow Children Services workers from a residence in the village to an address inside Portsmouth. The CPS team needed to check on kids, but the adults inside weren’t eager to let anyone in.
Officers noted a large dog in the apartment and called in the building manager. Eventually, a resident showed up and agreed to let CPS enter—though they asked that police remain outside. CPS was able to check on the children, and the resident promised workers could stop by anytime to check on their welfare.
Aggressive Father
Not long after, officers were sent to another home after a CPS worker said a father had gotten verbally aggressive and forced her to leave. Officers returned with her and found the man still refusing to cooperate. After some tense moments, the worker and the children’s mother agreed on an out-of-home safety plan for the kids.
Complaint of Drugs and Filthy Conditions
In yet another case, a worker asked officers to accompany her to a home where complaints had been made about drug use around children and filthy conditions inside. Police stood by while she knocked on the door, but no one answered. The worker told officers she would try again later that night or the next day.
A Difficult but Vital Job
The weekend underscored the challenges CPS workers face in protecting children—often in tense, unpredictable situations. Portsmouth officers didn’t make any arrests, but their presence provided backup and reassurance so social workers could focus on their mission.
