Safety check, it’s only a phone call away

Biloxi residents who are either alone or feel vulnerable can get a daily “Are You OK?” phone call from the Biloxi Police Department.

The system, known as RUOK, is a free service offered to citizens in Biloxi who request a telephone safety check.  The service helps by providing a reassurance call to check on the safety of an elderly, medically disabled or homebound person.

“They can feel a sense of security and caring just knowing a daily call will come,” Biloxi Police Capt. Larry Murphy said.  “It helps to take the fear out of being alone.”

Police are seeking to boost the current lineup of 14 residents in the program. Participants receive a call from either a dispatcher or an automated system at a time designated by the participant. The program will then prompt the participant with a particular response.  If no response or an incorrect response is given, a police officer will be sent to the home to check on the participant’s well-being. 

“A resident can sign up to be called at any time of day or night,” Biloxi Dispatcher Angie Myrick said.  “And if the person will be away from the home during the time of the call for an appointment or if a family member picks them up to go on vacation, all they have to do is to let us know and we will remove them from the call list while they are gone.”  

To sign up for the RUOK program, call the Biloxi Police Department Community Relations Division at 228-385-3033 or click on the link.
R U O K Application Packet

 

News and notes

Weekend preview: LeAnne Rimes performs at the Beau Rivage, Earl Thomas Conley will be at the Hard Rock, and Ray Stevens presents his comedic songs to an audience at the IP. To see a complete weekend lineup, click here.

Podcasting: This week’s City Desk Podcast makes note of the upcoming State of the City presentation, discusses the R.U.O.K. Program, and previews some of the Parks & Recreation Department events and sports.  To listen, click here.

Hiller Park Pavilion:  The outdoor pavilion at the north end of Hiller Park will reopen on Monday.  The pavilion was temporarily closed due to maintenance.  For more information on reserving the pavilion, call the Parks & Recreation office at 228-388-7170.

Start Smart registration:  Registration begins on Tuesday at the Parks & Recreation office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Start Smart Baseball program.  The program teaches children, ages 3 to 6, the basic skills of baseball.  To see the flyer, click here.

Special Needs Kickball:  The Parks & Recreation Department begins its Special Needs Kickball on Tuesday at Barbara Ferrill Softball Fields.  Open to all ages with mental and physical disabilities, games are free and played from 6 to 8 Tuesday nights. To see the flyer, click here.

City Council meeting: The Biloxi City Council meets Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall. To see the agenda for the meeting, which is open to the public, click here.

Offices closed: Non-emergency municipal offices in Biloxi will be closed Monday.