Biloxi may restrict Black spring break after weekend shootings that killed 1, injured 5
A crowd is expected at City Hall Tuesday to talk about spring break and how to stop the violence that happened over the weekend in Biloxi.
The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall on Lameuse Street.
Black Spring Break drew tens of thousands of people to hang out on the beach and attend big-name concerts and other events, primarily in the few blocks between Edgewater Mall and the Coast Coliseum.
When thunderstorms canceled the outdoor events Saturday afternoon and evening, the crowds stayed later than expected Sunday afternoon, said Councilman Kenny Glavan.
That is when five people, including a Biloxi police officer, were shot near Surf Style on Highway 90, with no arrests made yet. Another person was killed in a shooting in the same neighborhood Saturday. A Louisiana man was charged with manslaughter in that case
Glavan said the city has a year to make sure the violence doesn’t happen again.
“It’s just escalated to a point of no return,” Glavan said. Not doing anything isn’t an option, he said.
Biloxi Police responded to 669 spring break calls for service, the city released Monday, in addition to the overall 2,160 calls for service last week. There were more than 60 vehicles towed and 40 arrests, including 19 felonies.
The offenses ranged from traffic, drug, and firearm violations, to drunkenness, permit violations, officer assaults and shootings, the city said in a press release.
Glavan said he expects the council to schedule a workshop and look at best practices from other cities that successfully put restrictions in place.
Some of these solutions could extend to other large events in the city, he said, adding that the decision to talk about new rules has nothing to do with race.
“I think it is a community safety issue,” he said.
‘They’ve taken it away from the kids’
Councilman Paul Tisdale represents Ward 5, where the shootings occurred.
“It just gets so congested. So many people in such a small area,” he said.
The residential area behind Surf Style has just one way in and out and Tisdale said, “Those folks are just trapped in there.”
Councilman Felix Gines said spring break has changed from the original draw for college kids who would come to “relax and release” from their studies.
“These ‘kids’ are north of 30,” he said of those who attended spring break. “They’ve taken it away from the kids.”
He doesn’t think the college kids want to come anymore, he said.
“When it becomes about guns and drugs it’s not fun,” he said.
The Sun Herald reached out to the NAACP and the Black Spring Break promoter, but did not receive a comment.
Miami, Gulf Shores have spring break limitations
Miami also is looking at restrictions on spring break after shootings this year. The city declared a state of emergency and enforced a temporary curfew for the third consecutive year, according to Business Insider.
Other cities have taken action to limit the number of spring breakers.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, began enforcing hotel and bar capacity limits and tightened open-container laws.
Panama City Beach, Florida, bans alcohol on the beach in March. Gulf Shores extended the ban even longer — from March 4 to April 24. This is the eighth year for the ban for everyone.
“Biloxi has had to react to what promoters have brought to this event without consideration of the consequences,” said Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich. “The result has been a serious cost to city manpower and resources that could be better used. Our priority is keeping Biloxi safe, friendly, and beautiful.”
