The City of Mobile has addressed the Biloxi Police Department for the issue of transporting homeless people from Biloxi to Mobile without the city’s permission. The Mayor’s office crafted a well-executed letter that accused Biloxi’s police force of utilizing techniques of “intimidation and fear to fraud and deception” to bring homeless people from Biloxi to Mobile Alabama.
Citing interviews with the homeless, the letter explains that all of the statements given to the investigators had coordinating evidence that Biloxi Police were transporting these people to Mobile. It stated that Biloxi Police would use coercion to end confrontations with the homeless. The recounts claimed, “The officer further explains the City of Biloxi does not have adequate social services programs to assist the homeless. At that point, the officer insinuates the individual has a choice of either going to jail or being transported to Mobile, AL. The officer further explains the City of Biloxi does not have adequate social services programs to assist the homeless. At that point, the officer insinuates the individual has a choice of either going to jail or being transported to Mobile, AL.”
There are many other solutions Mississippi could have found instead of transporting these people to Mobile. The state has a lottery, and some of that money should be funneled toward funded shelters and different programs to assist the homeless. Almost 2,000 people are homeless in the state of Mississippi according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. 46% of the population is not sheltered at all. Mississippi needs an adequate budget for shelters, low-income housing, and food assistance programs.
Due to the letter addressed to the mayor of Biloxi from the city of Mobile, the mayor of Biloxi, Andrew Gilich, responded in his own letter. He stated, “While it is true that some individuals have utilized the services of Mobile shelters, the inferences in your letter attributing some wrongdoing by our police department are incorrect.” He claimed that only 2 people had been transported to Mobile in 2023, yet Mobile investigators have provided proof of Biloxi police cars entering Mobile at the approximate time one individual testified being dropped off.
The solution for homelessness is difficult and individualistic to cities and states. Mississippi needs to reflect on its actions and the assistance they have provided for its homeless population. If they find that there is not enough assistance, or if shelters are overpopulated, then the state needs to address that within its own powers.
To review the letter sent by the Mayor’s office of Mobile, go to https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:ee69e6f1-56d4-35bd-bea8-399353066ed6
