Portsmouth’s Top 10 Hot Spots For Crime
Most of Portsmouth’s crimes seem to be tied to drug use and homelessness, and those reports tend to come in from the same locations repeatedly. We’ll round up the locations most often seen on the Portsmouth Police logs and talk about what types of issues officers are dealing with.
Speedway
The issues at the popular gas station and convenience store on Gallia Street are so bad that Speedway’s corporate headquarters contacted Portsmouth Police to ask if there’s anything they can do about the problem of panhandlers harassing customers and employees.
Panhandlers, drug users, and homeless people who refuse to leave the store seem to be a constant problem and an issue with shoplifters. This isn’t helped by the fact that Speedway appears to be a popular spot for police to drop off people who have no place to go, and it’s a favorite of rehab facilities giving someone the boot.
Kroger
Portsmouth’s largest and most popular grocery store sees a cross-section of everyone in the community. That includes drug addicts overdosing in the bathrooms, homeless people making a scene in the lobby, and panhandlers harassing customers in the parking lot.
The store is also a favorite target of shoplifters. Its central location also seems to make the parking lot a popular place for facilities to drop off people they no longer wish to house. Multiple times officers have discovered individuals dropped off by Kentucky rehabs.
Tracy Park
Tracy Park is a favorite hangout of the homeless, with police sometimes having to chase off dozens of individuals in the morning.
The stage area is an especially popular spot for sleeping and charging phones. The park is the scene of multiple incidents of drug overdoses, mental health episodes, and fights between homeless individuals.
Police often have to force individuals who camp in the park to clean up trash and drug paraphernalia, including needles.
Kendall Heights/Wayne Hills
The public housing project normally receives multiple police visits on a daily basis. Many of the calls are in response to domestic and other disturbances.
Police also deal with instances of drug overdoses, mental health crises, and trespassers spotted in vacant apartments.
Royal Inn
The Royal Inn on Kendall Avenue is the scene of frequent reports of disturbances and a number of drug overdoses. The hotel seems to be a favorite of individuals who have recently been released from rehab.
The individuals who reside here are often the source of issues happening just down the street at Speedway.
The Post Office
The Portsmouth Post Office is really a seasonal entry on this list. In warmer weather, not too much happens. However, when it turns cold outside, that’s when the homeless and addicts take shelter there.
Not only do these individuals sometimes bother customers, but they can also be very territorial over their piece of the post office and get into altercations with each other.
One troubled individual actually tied the doors of the post office shut last winter to prevent officers from removing her belongings.
Downtown Bars
Portsmouth’s downtown bar scene, including places like Frank n’ Steins Lounge, the Party Time Pub, JJs Shenanigans, and Richard Noggins, is pretty quiet during the day – but come the evening hours, Portsmouth Police frequently responds to reports of altercations, and even full-scale bar brawls.
Despite frequent checks by officers in the evening, things frequently get out of hand.
Young Street Overpass
This area is a favorite spot for homeless individuals to hang out. Officers frequently respond to issues involving drug use, and it’s also a popular spot to locate folks with open warrants.
Individuals who call the area home often wander out onto Gallia Street, causing issues for local businesses.
Four Keys Inn
The Four Keys Inn on the Scioto Trail seems to attract troubled individuals, and officers frequently respond to issues there. Like the Royal Inn, it houses homeless people who happen to have a few dollars in their pocket and individuals recently released from rehab facilities.
Officers often discover individuals with open warrants on the premises.
8th Street/ Campbell Avenue
This area generates a lot of calls for public intoxication, suspicious activity, and concerns about individuals occupying abandoned houses and vacant lots.
Residents who work hard to maintain their homes fall victim to the problems generated by individuals who do not maintain their properties and fallout from individuals with addiction issues.