Trouble at the Post Office, Parks, and Riverfront: Homeless Crisis Continues to Strain Portsmouth Resources

From midnight to mid-afternoon, Portsmouth Police responded to multiple calls involving homeless individuals across the city at the Post Office, local parks, downtown lots, and along the river. Each incident shows a growing humanitarian crisis playing out daily on city streets. 3 A.M. at the Post Office Officers were dispatched to the Portsmouth Post Office just after 3 a.m. after reports of a man in the lobby rambling to himself. Police quickly realized the man was in distress and called for an ambulance. He was transported to the hospital for treatment. This is just the latest in a string of calls involving people using the Post Office lobby as a shelter from the cold. Warrant Arrest at Doyle Landing Homeless Camp Police joined code enforcement at Doyle Landing on River Road to clear a homeless camp when they encountered Floyd Howell, a man with a history of violence—including a 2023 assault conviction and past charges of felonious assault and disorderly conduct. Officers confirmed two active warrants for failure to appear and arrested him on the spot. His belongings were dropped off at another camp behind Bob & Floyd’s. Blanket on the Stage in Tracy Park At 3 p.m., officers were called to Tracy Park after a concerned citizen noticed someone had been sleeping under a blanket on the stage all day. Police located the woman and confirmed she was okay. The park, a frequent site for unhoused residents seeking rest, has become a flashpoint in the city’s efforts to balance public access with compassionate care. Backyard Camp on Findlay Street Later in the day, a homeowner on Findlay Street reported homeless individuals camping behind his property, leaving the gate open and trash scattered. While officers discovered the remains of a camp, no one was present. The homeowner was advised on how to legally handle such situations and told to call back if people returned. A Cycle That Keeps Spinning These calls—just a handful from a single day—are not isolated incidents. Police, code enforcement, medics, and local nonprofits are stretched thin trying to respond to the growing needs of people living unsheltered in Portsmouth. While some progress has been made—such as the opening of a day shelter at 802 Washington Street by The Counseling Center (TCC) and community partner Darren Mault—there's still far more need than resources. That facility, which quietly opened in July after a $300,000 investment, immediately began serving dozens of individuals in need of food, hygiene, rest, and connection to services. “Misfortune does not discriminate,” TCC said in a statement. “The need is real, the need involves our very neighbors, and the need can be life-critical at times.” What’s Next, Portsmouth? How do we continue to address this crisis? Should we invest more in mental health services? Provide more housing-first solutions? Expand treatment beds or emergency shelter space? 👉 We want to hear from you. What do you think should be done to address the complex realities of homelessness, mental health, and addiction in our community? Let us know your thoughts. Drop-In Center staff have handled everything from emergency psychiatric transport to dressing insect-infested wounds, assisting domestic violence survivors, and helping guests with legal or family needs. The center imposes no requirement that visitors enter treatment, emphasizing low-barrier access to basic survival needs—food, safety, water, warmth, hygiene.

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