OCEAN SPRINGS, MS —After back-to-back weekends of late-night gunfire, some residents said they expected the city to respond with a heavier police presence in Downtown Ocean Springs. Instead, city leaders went further, voting Tuesday to cut off alcohol sales at 1:30 a.m. and require all citywide bars, restaurants, and event centers to close by 2:00 a.m. on weekends.
Officials teased the action with a Monday press release. “We are deeply concerned and want to assure the public that the life, health, and safety of our community remain at the forefront of our priorities,” the city stated. “The City of Ocean Springs is committed to protecting residents, visitors, and businesses.”
The following day, the city announced the Tuesday evening special called meeting and made public their proposed resolution and order. The meeting ended with a 5–1 vote. Alderman Shannon Pfeiffer cast the lone “no” vote.
Here’s Why One Voted No
Pfeiffer questioned whether the situation met the criteria of a “man-made emergency,” the term used to justify the action in the city’s resolution.
According to Mississippi Code, “man-made emergency” means: an emergency caused by an action against persons or society, including, but not limited to, emergency attack, sabotage, terrorism, civil unrest or other action impairing the orderly administration of government.
“I don’t think the situation meets the state’s criteria for an emergency action,” Pfeiffer told GC Wire. “I believe this was a heavy handed first step that is going to affect many businesses and the livelihoods of those who work there.”
The Ward 4 alderman says she was not privy to closed door meetings between the mayor, police chief, city attorney, and some of the other Board members. Pfeiffer said she did not see the proposed resolution until just about two hours before the meeting – around the same time a sneak peek was released to the media.
“The meeting did not allow for public comments and none of the aldermen had a chance to get feedback from their constituents,” Pfeiffer added. “I want to be clear that safety is the top concern, but I believe we could have achieved that by bringing back beat cops and having an overall police presence in the area.”
‘Bandaid on a Bullet Hole’ – Residents Weigh in
For Oren Zweig, owner of Lil Market Deli & Bagelry and a recent candidate for alderman-at-large, the decision was the wrong move at the wrong time.
“I personally would’ve been in favor of just having a larger police presence as I feel that would’ve been a way to solve the problem without having to jeopardize responsible business owners who rely on late night hours.,” Zweig posted on Facebook.
“Everyone in the industry knows this is the slowest time of year,” he added, while further explaining the upcoming Labor Day weekend is a time when bar owners make up for the seasonal lows.
Several residents echoed Zweig’s stance, arguing that the curfew unfairly punishes responsible businesses and their employees.
“This weekend could be the one that pays someone’s light bill or the remainder of their rent due,” wrote Kylie Bodden. “It’s just not even close to a solution… looks like a Bandaid on a bullet hole.”
Justin Harris agreed, saying the city should have added officers instead of forcing bars to close early. “Should have put more police downtown like they used to,” he stated. “This is just going to hurt businesses. There’s police officers that would like to get overtime, I’m sure,”
Others defended the city’s move, focusing on caution.
“This choice could also be the decision that saves someone’s life,” argued Chelsea Prince.
Despite his criticism, Zweig tried to close on a note of resilience, encouraging residents to support downtown businesses through the trial period. “It’s bad timing but it’s just temporary,” he said. “We can support the businesses during the week and earlier this weekend to try and mitigate the losses, and it could be a win-win.”
The order remains in effect for 30 days, with the option to renew. The Board of Aldermen is scheduled to revisit their action at the September 2 meeting.
This is just my opinion, but what you have just done is take away a unique thing about Ocean Springs. What makes you think a shooting would not happen prior to the closing time? If I remember correctly the first shooting was at a bar that was being used more like a club and was shut down. The last one, I have never heard of the bar. I agree with other residents, a higher police presence would work better. What they have done is similar to gun control laws, it hurts the law abiding citizens when criminals pay no attention to those laws and will continue to do what they do.
The worst attacks are in places with the strictest gun laws. We need the party in the streets, the go-cup district to be revoked. One vote of the ladermen on this and it could all be over
As I had stated in comments yesterday prior to their so called remedy being announced. Beat Cops are visible, dedicated to be alert, deescalate situations and act with purpose immediately if bad guys do bad things. Why this snap decision to curfew businesses instead of add friendly police presence to ward off potential offenders is beyond the scope of Logic. Guess logic has nothing to do with it!