Press Releases

Last evening, the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee held a public interview process to choose two people to recommend to the Portsmouth City Council. The Council will then choose one of the candidates recommended by the Blue Ribbon Committee to
fill the open Police Commission seat vacated by the current Assistant Mayor, Jim Splaine. The Council will vote at their February 18th, 2020 regular meeting.

The names of the two successful candidates are:

Mr. Thomas Hart               Mr. Joseph Plaia

   On Monday, February 10th, Vice President Pence will be at an event at the Portsmouth Sheraton on Market Street. As a result there will be an impact to both traffic and parking in the vicinity of the Sheraton to include Market Street, Deer Street, Russell Street and Green Street.

   The following will be in effect;

            1) No parking on Market Street (either side) between Deer Street and Russell Street

INAUGURAL MAKE-A-WISH NEW HAMPSHIRE 2020 YOUTH BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
The Portsmouth Auxiliary Police Association in cooperation of and with the support of Make-A-Wish New Hampshire is conducting a Basketball Tournament for youth between March 16th and 27th, 2020 on weeknights between 5 and 9PM at the Connie Bean Center in Portsmouth, NH. The majority net proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, helping children and their families. Our
tournament theme is “Helping Kids, by Building Kids”.

Shortly after 7:00 AM Portsmouth Police were called to Coastal Truck and Auto Body on Lafayette Road for a report of a possible theft in progress. On scene investigation determined the suspect had fled on foot into a wooded area behind the business. Portsmouth officers, including K-9 Unit Officer Aaron Stacy and K-9 Axe searched an extensive wooded area and the suspect was able to be taken into custody a short distance from the scene.

Pro Portsmouth’s First Night takes place on Tuesday, December 31, from 4 p.m. to midnight, including a fireworks show scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the South Mill Pond. To facilitate a safe and entertaining First Night, the following traffic and parking changes will occur on December 31st.

ROAD CLOSURES

Shortly before 2:00 AM Portsmouth officers responded to the intersection of Congress Street and Maplewood Avenue for an abandoned vehicle with heavy damage in the middle of the roadway. Officers on scene were able to determine the operator had fled the area. A short time later the following subject called Portsmouth Communications and stated his truck had been stolen;

CHARLES LAMPREY

Age: 24

The Portsmouth Auxiliary Police Association, in cooperation of and with the support of Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, is conducting a basketball tournament for youth between March 16th and 27th, 2020 on weeknights between 5 and 9PM at the Connie Bean Center in Portsmouth, NH. The majority net proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, helping children and their families. Our tournament theme is “Building Youth by Helping Youth”.  There is no better cause than Make-A-Wish.

This morning, members of the Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments, along with New Hampshire State Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EOD) responded to 43 Austin Street where a significant quantity of dynamite and blasting caps were discovered in the basement. The previous homeowner had died and the items were located during a search of the residence. Current caretakers of the property properly notified authorities early on that the potential of the dynamite existed. This was crucial to the safe mitigation of the material.

**UPDATE** 12:45pm - Austin and all surrounding streets are now reopened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The evacuation has been lifted and residents have been cleared to return to their homes. The Portsmouth Police Department would like to thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding.

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The Portsmouth Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are investigating the death of a 38 year old male which occurred in Portsmouth overnight between November 17th and the 18th.

At approximately 5:15 AM on November 18th, the Portsmouth Police and Fire departments responded to 171 Union St, #3, after a man reported finding his roommate unresponsive in the residence. Despite efforts to revive the male, he was deceased on-scene.