Latest news with #PortsmouthPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Suicide prevention signage installed on Piscataqua River Bridge
May 17—Following a string of suicides over the Piscataqua River, officials this week installed new signage on bridges aimed at reducing such attempts, but some locals and mental health advocates say more needs to be done. In less than two weeks, from late April to early May, three people died by suicide after jumping into the river. Two jumped from the Piscataqua River Bridge that carries Interstate 95 between New Hampshire and Maine, and another from the smaller Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, according to state and local law enforcement. Kelly Hartnett, vice president of community relations at Portsmouth-based Seacoast Mental Health Center, said seeing so many deaths in such a narrow window of time is "definitely unusual" compared to trends over the last decade. "I have not experienced this type of event in that frequency," in about six years on the job, Hartnett said. On Thursday, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation installed six signs on the larger bridge — three each on the northbound and southbound sides — Hartnett said. She said the agency, which assists with some crisis calls on and around the bridges, had already been working with the Portsmouth Police Department to install signage and other preventative measures. "We had been working on that initiative prior to the unfortunate events. That kind of accelerated the efforts," she said. The signs bear a relatively simple message: "There is hope. YOU MATTER. Text. Call. Chat. 988." That number rings the national suicide and crisis lifeline, which connects individuals with a live counselor and local resources. "It's a step forward, but we are looking now to add nets or some kind of barriers. That's the evidence-based model, having both (signs and barriers)," Hartnett said. When an individual plans to die by suicide, they often do so hastily or impulsively, so a clear and quick message helps get through to those in crisis, Hartnett said. When more time is created between someone planning and acting, crisis teams have a better chance of intervening. In that sense, even physical barriers that appear scalable require additional effort and help create a buffer in time, she said. Multiple studies have shown that safety barriers are extremely effective at reducing the suicide rate on a particular structure and, in some cases, the overall suicide rate within a community. This latest string of suicides came as crews began installing safety fencing on the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in Augusta. That project is expected to cost about $1.35 million and is slated for completion in July, according to Maine Department of Transportation spokesperson Damian Veilleux. The fencing was mandated by the Maine Legislature in 2023 after a number of similar bills had failed to pass. The project was delayed slightly by testing to determine the fences' potential impact on the bridge's overall wind resistance. CALLS FOR MORE More than 1,600 local residents have signed an online petition calling for safety nets to be installed on the Piscataqua River Bridge. "In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the threat of suicide is painfully real. The Piscataqua River Bridge offers a tempting means for individuals considering suicide," organizers wrote in the petition. That petition was created on May 12, shortly after a minor — later revealed to be a Sanford High School student — jumped to his death. Police pulled his body from the water around 6 a.m. that morning, about nine hours after his empty car was found on the bridge. Friends, family and classmates gathered on Wells Beach Wednesday for a vigil honoring Jonathan "Jony" Hunter, a 16-year-old football player, Seacoastonline reported. There, his loved ones said there had been few to no warning signs that the teenager, known for his big heart, had been struggling. Hunter's death came less than two weeks after an earlier pair of suicides that took place April 30. New Hampshire State Police responded to a call of a stopped car in the Piscataqua River Bridge's northbound breakdown lane and determined that an unidentified man had jumped to his death, the department said in a written release. A few hours later, police in Portsmouth got a report of a missing person. The next morning, officers learned that a person matching that description had jumped from the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, the local department said. Tyler Dumont, spokesperson for the New Hampshire Department of Safety, said the state police are "working closely" with partner groups to create additional suicide prevention methods, and he urged anyone struggling with thoughts of self-harm to call the crisis lifeline at 988. "The Department remains committed to doing all we can to reduce suicide risks and promote safety for everyone in our state," Dumont said in a written statement. ------ IF YOU NEED HELP IF YOU or someone you know is in immediate danger, dial 911. FOR ASSISTANCE during a mental health crisis, call or text 888-568-1112. To call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 988 or chat online at FOR MORE SUPPORT, call the NAMI Maine Help Line at 800-464-5767 or email helpline@ OTHER Maine resources for mental health, substance use disorder and other issues can be found by calling 211. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged in Portsmouth fatal shooting 'armed and dangerous' and at large, police say
PORTSMOUTH — The alleged shooter of a Wednesday night killing around the Cradock neighborhood has been identified but is at large and 'armed and dangerous,' police said Friday. At around 8:21 p.m., police were dispatched to an address off Connor Place, near its intersection with the George Washington Highway, and found a man with a life-threatening gunshot wound. The man, 32-year-old Nikale Kwame Gordon Sr., was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his wounds, a statement from the Portsmouth Police Department said. Police now seek the public's help in locating the suspected shooter, 28-year-old Hasaun Nyquan Williams, who officers said was 'armed and dangerous' and fled the scene in a vehicle. Williams has been charged with second-degree murder. No additional details were immediately available. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Portsmouth Police Investigations Bureau at 757–393–8536. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers can also submit an anonymous tip through the Crime Line's P3 Tips app or visit their website at
Boston Globe
30-04-2025
- Boston Globe
Maine teen driver arrested for allegedly leading troopers on 125 mph chase in Portsmouth, N.H.
He's also charged with three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanor operating without a valid license, misdemeanor criminal mischief, transportation of alcohol by a minor violation, and a violation of reckless operation, police said. A trooper was patrolling I-95 in Greenland when he observed a 2017 Subaru Legacy traveling northbound at 125 mph in a posted 65 mph zone at 1:38 a.m., police said. Advertisement The trooper tried to catch up and coordinated with other troopers in the area, police said. Another trooper saw the Subaru drive past him at a high rate of speed. Both troopers tried to stop the Subaru. But the Subaru got off at Exit 5 and continued to the Portsmouth circle, where it crashed into the traffic signals, the statement said. Wozny allegedly attempted to keep driving for a short distance before stopping on the Route 1 Bypass North, where Troopers and members of the Portsmouth Police Department were able to detain all occupants inside the Subaru, police said. Troopers identified Wozny as the driver and discovered there were multiple juvenile passengers inside as well. Advertisement Troopers 'developed probable cause that Wozny was impaired' and discovered that he did not have a valid driver's license, police said. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, but was not injured. Two of the juvenile passengers were also taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries, police said. All juvenile passengers were ultimately released to parents or guardians. Wozny declined bail and was held at the Rockingham County Department of Corrections pending an appearance in Portsmouth District Court, the statement said. Adam Sennott can be reached at
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police investigating deadly shooting in Portsmouth's Park Manor area
PORTSMOUTH — Police are investigating the death of a man who was shot in the Park Manor area Thursday. Portsmouth police said officers were dispatched at about 6:37 p.m. to the 600 block of Dunedin Road and found a man with life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to a statement. That's at the intersection of Navajo Trail and Dunedin Road, on the outskirts of an apartment complex. The man, 38-year-old Quinton Eugene Elliott, was taken to a local hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead upon arrival, police said. Portsmouth Police Department Major Crime unit is investigating this as a homicide. No additional details were immediately available. Anyone with information can contact the Portsmouth Police Investigations Bureau at 757–393–8536; anonymous tips can be shared with the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP and the P3 Tips app.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Portsmouth Police searching for missing 12-year-old
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The Portsmouth Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing 12-year-old boy. According to officials, Makai Jones, 12, was last seen on Tuesday, April 1 around 3:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Dale Drive. Jones is described as a Black male standing at five-foot-one and weighing around 90 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and ripped gray jeans. Photos of Jones can be seen below: Anyone with any information on Jones' whereabouts is urged to contact the Portsmouth Police Special Victims Unit at 757-393-8536. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
