Portsmouth police officers went the extra mile—literally and figuratively—showing compassion and care while responding to two very different calls involving folks in need.
Around 10 a.m., the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office called for backup after spotting a man walking outside the railing of the Grant Bridge, headed toward Kentucky. Portsmouth officers arrived quickly and found the man—disheveled and confused—insisting he was on the sidewalk. Rather than leave him in a risky spot, the officer gave him a safe ride to the Speedway in South Shore to ensure he was out of harm’s way.
Then, just before 11 p.m., concerned neighbors on 25th Street called about a woman in her 70s wearing pink pajamas, wandering the neighborhood and knocking on doors. Officers discovered she had just been discharged from Southern Ohio Medical Center but didn’t have a way home. So, they stepped in again—personally driving her back to her apartment to make sure she got there safely.
In a time when police departments often face criticism, these small acts of kindness stand out. The Portsmouth Police Department continues to prove that protecting and serving isn’t just about fighting crime—it’s also about treating people with dignity and compassion, especially when they’re at their most vulnerable.
