Press Releases/What’s New

The Portsmouth Police Department has been investigating several recent mail fraud and identity theft cases involving an organized crime enterprise operating in the Portsmouth area.  These organizations have been targeting local neighborhoods, and more specifically the south end of Portsmouth.  These individuals are obtaining personal identities such as names, DOB’s, social security numbers, and addresses and using that information to go online and order items, specifically newly released smart phones such as the IPhone 10 and Samsung Note 8 through several differ

On December 18, 2017, at approximately 8:37 PM, the Portsmouth Police Department was called to the Salvation Army Thrift Store located at 2458 Lafayette Rd for a report of an armed robbery.  Upon arrival officers located two employees who reported while exiting the store after closing they were approached in the parking lot by a white male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a ski mask pointing a gun at them asking for the money bag.  The suspect obtained the bag and fled on foot towards Lafayette Rd.  The two employees returned to the store and called pol

Applications for the seasonal boat slips at the Prescott Park docks will be accepted at the City of Portsmouth City Clerk’s Office from December 15th, 2017 through January 31st, 2018. Applications can be found on the City of Portsmouth’s website at www.cityofportsmouth.com/prescottpark/prescott-park-docks.

Food drive to benefit Gather (formerly known as Seacoast Food Pantry). The food drive will be Sunday, December 10, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Market Basket, 1465 Woodbury Avenue.

Several officers, department employees and their family members will be in front of the store handing out flyers listing specific items that the food pantry needs to meet demands during the holiday season. Shoppers who wish to participate can purchase items on the list and drop them off at Portsmouth Police cruisers on their way out.

Beginning on Monday, December 4th, portions of Bridge Street will be closed until January 4, 2018 in order to complete sewer and utility work associated with the construction of the Foundry Place parking garage. This area spans Hill Street and Deer Street, with closures on the intersection of Deer and Bridge Streets, and the end of Hill Street heading into Bridge Street. Access to all local businesses in this area will be maintained during this time.

Street Closures and No Parking in the Greater Downtown Area for the Portsmouth Holiday Parade Saturday, December 2nd, 2017

Effective from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturday, December 2nd, 2017 the Chief of Police will be invoking his emergency powers, prohibiting parking and vehicular travel on certain streets in the City due to the Annual Portsmouth Holiday Parade.

After a successful first season, Portsmouth’s bike-share program, operated by Zagster, Inc., has closed up shop for the winter months. As with the City’s bicycle corrals (on-street bike parking) on Daniel Street and Market Street, the City is “hibernating” the bikes and stations during the winter months to avoid conflicts with snow clearing operations. This will also enable all of the bikes to receive maintenance.