Will Biloxi restrict Black spring break? Residents, event organizers speak at packed meeting.

People stood three deep at Tuesday’s Biloxi City Council meeting to have their say about what should happen with Black Spring Break next year.

Residents described how they were afraid in their own homes, of drag racing on their streets and guns in their neighborhoods. Others pointed out that a small group out of the estimated 30,000 people who attended Black Spring Break over the weekend caused problems, and how those law breakers shouldn’t spoil a fun time for all.

“I’m all for a good party, but there has to be some kind of order,” said Johanna Clark, who moved to Gulfport from Los Angeles. “I could have stayed there.”

Zeleder Barnes, a former school teacher and Biloxi resident, pointed out that of the 30,000 spring breakers who visited the Coast, maybe 100 started trouble. She believes the city must ensure that all are treated fairly.

“We have branded ourselves as a tourist town where all are welcome,” Barnes said.

Why was this year different?

One person was shot and died during spring break over the weekend and five more were shot and injured, including a Biloxi Police officer, in a separate incident on Highway 90. Police Chief John Miller said the officer is doing well, but may not be able to handle a gun anymore because of nerve damage caused by the shooting.

Two of the shooting victims were treated and released, Miller said, and two more had serious injuries and were hospitalized.

The crowd wasn’t as large as some years, Miller said, but what was different this year was “we had some very bad players.” In addition to the police officer was shot, he said, there were seven aggravated assaults.

“The majority of that seven were on police officers,” he said.

“This year there were at least four separate promoters,” Miller said. By end of next week he will have financial reports together to show what it cost just the city of Biloxi, he said.

Even more than the cost to the city is the treat to security, he said. The majority of extra police the city hired to help patrol during spring break made it clear to Miller they aren’t coming back.

What’s next for Black spring break in Biloxi

Council members didn’t take action Tuesday, two days after the event ended, but said they intend to work with the police to put ordinances in place so the events of this year won’t happen again.

Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said the events extended from Point Cadet on the Coast to Woolmarket, north of I-10 and into Gulfport. “We are working closely with Chief Miller and other officials from tourist destinations that have had the same problem or similar events.”

Gilich said the intent is to strengthen or replace ordinances “to ensure that events that pose a threat to our community and our national reputation are no longer welcome.”

Form an events committee

Several people in the community suggested forming a committee to make the city safer during all events.

“I hope they call me,” said Maurice Bryant, an organizer for spring break events in Biloxi since 2012 and this year’s spring break concert starring Kodak at the Coast Coliseum.

He apologized for the chaos and violence over the weekend, although he said his events weren’t an issue. He said the problems were with pop-up parties advertised on social media by organizers who don’t work with the city.

“I think they need to have a diverse board on events,” he said. Any legislation that is created, like no bottles on the beach, should be year-round and apply to all events, he said.

Among the others who offered to serve on the board were Harrison County Supervisor Beverly Martin and Scarlet Pearl Casino CEO LuAnn Pappas.

This story was originally published April 18, 2023 at 5:34 PM.

Mary Perez

Sun Herald

601-909-0649

Mary has won numerous awards for her business and casino articles for the Sun Herald. She also writes about Biloxi, jobs and the new restaurants and development coming to the Coast. She is a fourth-generation journalist.