Biloxi likes idea of Bikin’ the Beach. Police chief’s concerns could kill motorcycle event
Everybody likes the idea of a Bikin’ the Beach motorcycle rally in Biloxi in June, but Police Chief John Miller said he just doesn’t have the staff to secure another major event in the city.
By a 4-3 vote, the Biloxi Council voted Tuesday to table action on issuing a permit or turning down the event, hoping to find a way to make it happen June 12-15.
When city officials pointed out this event would be just a week before Scrapin’ the Coast, another major event in Biloxi, organizer Jason Stearman said he could move it a week earlier to give a little space between the events. He also agreed to move the music events from The Sanctuary entertainment venue he operates near residential areas in west Biloxi to open property nearby at Treasure Bay Casino, along U.S. 90.
Because it’s an inaugural event, Stearman said he expects about 1,000 people, who would be riding to events all along the Coast and not spending all their time in Biloxi. He also expects it to bring millions of dollars in economic impact and become a legacy event like Cruisin’ The Coast, he said.
“He’s prepared for 1,000 people,” said Miller, who estimates a crowd of 5,000 motorcyclists and a cost in overtime pay for the police and other department of $300,000 for the four-day event.
“The reality of it is I don’t know how we can handle another big event,” Miller said. “I know you’re all aware of the manpower issues that we have, mainly because of the number of events that we have. Let’s say we have a massive shooting, which we see in the news every day in other cities. Let’s say we have that, where am I going to pull that manpower to deal with that shooting? Where am I going to pull the manpower and try to keep people safe?”
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
