This story was originally produced by the Portsmouth Herald. NHPR is reissuing it in partnership with the Granite State News Collaboration.

Police and advocates have seen an increase in the number of homeless people in the city, leading to complaints from residents about people sleeping on park benches and in bank vestibules.

Resident Sarah Lynch emailed the city council as a “concerned citizen about the influx of unhoused people sleeping in sleeping bags on our park benches, loitering near PMS (Portsmouth Middle School), the library and Leary Field, and sleeping in vans adjacent to Leary. Field and the Turf Field.

“I walk every morning in Portsmouth and the increase in the number of unhoused people sleeping on the sidewalk or in vending machines is astonishing,” she said. “This is particularly concerning given the proximity to our schools, library, playgrounds and playgrounds.”

Lynch added that she recently saw a man urinating in front of Market Basket in Lafayette. “I realize this is a very complex and sensitive issue, and I fully support organizations like Cross Roads (House) that help people in need,” she said. “I just don’t believe that people sleeping rough is safe for anyone.”

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