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As Portsmouth continues to grapple with a rising homeless crisis, local law enforcement is fielding more and more calls related to unsheltered individuals—from welfare checks to reports of people scavenging for recyclables.
In the early hours of the morning, Portsmouth Police responded to multiple incidents highlighting the struggles of the city’s homeless population.
At 5:30 a.m., a concerned caller reported a man lying on the sidewalk at 11th and Gay Streets. Officers arrived to check on him, but the man insisted he was okay and declined assistance.
A few hours later, at 8 a.m., residents on Hutchins Street alerted authorities to a man rummaging through trash cans, leaving debris behind. Officers discovered he was searching for cans to recycle. After being made aware of complaints, he cleaned up the mess and moved along.
Meanwhile, a distressed call from out-of-town parents brought officers to the parking lot of King’s Daughters Medical Center. Their homeless daughter had called them, threatening to harm herself. Unable to assist from afar, they tracked her location and notified police. Officers found her in a nearby medical office parking lot, offered help, and secured a spot at a local homeless shelter, even driving her there.
City Leaders Address Crisis
With incidents like these becoming increasingly common, Portsmouth’s City Council is set to discuss the formation of a homelessness task force at Monday’s City Manager’s Conference.
The task force would focus on coordinating resources, expanding shelter availability, and addressing public concerns, balancing compassion and community impact.
As Portsmouth’s homelessness problem escalates, city leaders face tough decisions on how to best respond to the growing crisis.