Portsmouth homeowners are fed up — and who can blame them?
At 9 a.m., the owner of a 12th Street property called the cops after someone ripped off a tub and shower combo right from his porch. But that wasn’t all — he said a squatter had also set up camp at the house!
Police told the frustrated homeowner (again) that it was a civil matter and their hands were tied — at least for the moment. Still, the man pushed forward. Within the hour, officers served a temporary protection order against the man living there. Score one for persistence!
Meanwhile, over on Armstrong Place, a different homeowner was locked in a standoff with another stubborn squatter. They said a woman had been told over and over to hit the road — and even after they tossed her belongings in the trash, she kept dragging them back out like some kind of real-life horror movie!
Officers found “No Trespassing” signs plastered all over the property — a smart move — but the woman was MIA when they arrived. Police told the owners to call immediately if she dared to come back.
So what can YOU do if squatters strike?
- Post “No Trespassing” signs everywhere — it strengthens your case.
- Call police immediately every time the intruder shows up — document everything!
- File for a formal eviction or protection order through the courts if needed — unfortunately, squatters often have more rights than you’d think.
- Don’t wait — the longer someone stays, the harder it can be to remove them legally.
- Secure vacant properties with locks, cameras, and visible security measures.
Bottom line: Squatter problems aren’t just an annoyance — they can turn into huge legal headaches. If you spot trouble, act fast and get the paperwork rolling before it’s your porch furniture (or your peace of mind) that disappears!
