Christmas shopping season and the rush of the holidays is here, and Biloxi Police Chief John Miller is asking that you don’t let safety take a back seat.
Miller, in a new four-minute video published today on the city’s YouTube channel, has some of the common-sense advice that you probably already know – be aware of your surroundings, don’t drink and drive – but there’s also a few safety tips that you probably never even considered.
For instance, you probably know to always park in a well-lit area close to your destination, but did you know to avoid parking near large vehicles, which may block your view, and to avoid parking near vehicles with dark-tinted windows?
If you must use an ATM, try to use one indoors. If it’s outdoors, be sure it’s in a well-lit area, and try to use a drive-through ATM. While using the drive-through ATM, keep your car in drive, so you can leave immediately if a suspicious person approaches. Don’t discard the ATM receipt at the ATM location; dispose of it later.
Avoid carrying a purse; keep your money and credit cards in your pocket, and have a list of those credit cards and the account numbers in a safe place. Consider a credit-monitoring service.
There are a host of simple things that you can do to avoid becoming a victim, said Miller, and one of the biggest is not getting caught up in the sometimes chaotic environment of the season. Slow down, literally.
Adds the chief: “Even though you’re rushed and you have a thousand things on your mind, stay vigilant, be aware of who’s around you.”
See the video of holiday safety tips
See the list of holiday events in Biloxi
Visitors Center to unveil 2018 Alex North calendar
The Biloxi Visitors Center will host the unveiling of well-known Coast photographer Alex North’s fifth annual calendar, “Heaven’s Gateway V,” on Sunday with a reception and signing from 2 to 4 p.m.
A native of the Gulf Coast and an avid outdoorsman, gardener and photographer, North frequently shares his photographs on Facebook and encourages viewers to share the images. “My main subject matter is our God-given natural surroundings and the wildlife that call it home,” he says of his work. “I try to capture things you don’t see, be it a stunning sunrise, Osprey fishing, or a bloom opening. My goal is to capture it as it happens and share it with you through photography.â€
The calendars are available for $12 each and refreshments will be served during the unveiling. Additionally, North’s photography is featured on this year’s limited edition Biloxi Lighthouse Christmas ornament available only at the Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd.
The Biloxi Visitors Center, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., also houses a gift shop where Alex North prints and books are available for purchase.
Elsewhere this weekend: The Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra presents a seasonal favorite, the Peppermint Pops concert, Sunday at the Saenger Theater. You’ll also find performances in town by Martina McBride and Tape Face, and, over to the west, Gulfport ushers in its Harbor Lights Winter Festival at Jones Park.
See the cover of “Heaven’s Gateway V”
See the weekend calendar of events
City Desk: Hear about Alex North and more
East Biloxi update: More road paving in the works
Oscar Renda will be paving a half-dozen more streets between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
These streets include Strangi Avenue south of Division Street, Esters Boulevard from Strangi west to Keller Avenue, Division Street between Penny Avenue and Strangi, Murray Street between Elmer and Nichols streets, and Nixon Street between Murray and Division streets.
The last section of Crusaders Drive that runs parallel to I-110 along with Percy Avenue between Crusaders Drive and Bohn Street and Bohn Street north of Division between Division and Percy are also expected to see blacktop by Christmas.
The news, along with the announcement that sidewalk and driveway work on Keller Avenue is expected to see completion next month, is among the highlights for this month’s nearly two-and-a-half minute status video published today on the city’s YouTube channel.
Project Superintendent John Cowart, who records the video updates, also said crews are working to complete the drainage system between Penny and Strangi by Christmas.
See the latest video of progress
News and notes: Holiday schedules, council meeting, City Desk
Garbage, trash and recycling pickup: The Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday means that garbage, trash and recycling pickups in Biloxi will be delayed by a day. If your pickup day is Thursday, crews will be around on Friday, and if your pickup day is Friday, look for crews to make the rounds on Saturday. As usual, make sure the carts and any other trash are by the curb by 6:30 a.m. on day of pickup. Any issues? Call 228-701-9086, which is the phone number displayed on side of the carts.
Holiday closings: Non-emergency municipal offices in Biloxi will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving.
Visitors Center hours: The Biloxi Visitors Center will be closed on Thursday but will resume normal daily hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Friday. For more information, call the center at 228-374-3105.
City Desk: Hear the latest on an array of city issues on the weekly affairs program, recorded today at City Hall today, with Visitors Center Manager Bill Raymond, City Desk Moderator William Sackett, Public Affairs Manager Vincent Creel and and Public Affairs Specialist Cecilia “Mercella Marceau” Dobbs Walton. To listen, click here.
Council meetings: The next scheduled meeting of the Biloxi City Council is set for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. followed by a special-called meeting for the public to comment on the panhandling issues and revised licensing procedures. Both meetings will be at the Biloxi City Hall and are open to the public. To see the agendas and supporting documents, click here.
