Mississippi city denies accusations that its coercing, transporting, dumping homeless people in Alabama

Homeless Controversy Sparks Tension Between Coastal Cities

The largest city in coastal Alabama has alleged that police from a neighboring Mississippi city are transporting homeless individuals, sometimes under duress, into their jurisdiction.

Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, however, vehemently denies any wrongdoing. He asserts that Biloxi has been collaborating with homeless shelters in Mobile, ensuring that no one is coerced and that less than 20 individuals have been relocated.

A letter penned by James Barber, chief of staff to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, dated Thursday, claims that Biloxi police may be infringing on the civil rights of homeless people. According to the letter, the police tell the homeless that they are violating Biloxi’s laws and then suggest that they be transported to Mobile. The letter explicitly demands Biloxi to cease these transports, warning that Mobile will involve federal officials to investigate civil rights violations if Biloxi persists.

The Geography and Accusations

Mobile, a city of 200,000 residents, lies approximately an hour’s drive to the east of Biloxi, a city known for its casinos and home to 50,000 people.

Barber’s letter recounts interviews with individuals brought to Mobile, revealing a “consistent pattern” perpetrated by Biloxi police officers. Although the threat of arrest is never explicitly made, the exchange leaves the homeless individual with no choice but to opt for transportation to Mobile or potentially face arrest, according to the letter.

Mayor Gilich’s Response

Biloxi’s Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich has vehemently denied the allegations, assuring that the city isn’t coercing or relocating homeless residents to Mobile, Alabama. He explained that Biloxi has been collaborating with two Mobile shelters since August 2022, offering resources unavailable in their own community. Mayor Gilich stated that only two individuals have been transported from Biloxi to Mobile in 2023, with fewer than 20 since the program’s inception. He noted that everyone taken to Mobile had willingly signed a consent form.

Mayor Gilich countered the allegations made in Barber’s letter, inviting Mobile officials to engage in further discussions on the matter. In a related development, Biloxi’s City Council rejected the establishment of a permanent soup kitchen location in June, following complaints from residents.