Mayor Knight Urges Parents to Address Dangerous Four-Wheeler and Dirt Bike Activity

A Community Call for Safety and Responsibility on Moss Point Streets

In this episode of The River City Chat, Mayor Billy Knight Sr. delivered an urgent message to parents and residents about a growing safety problem in Moss Point, young people riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers recklessly through city streets and neighborhoods.

Concern from the Community

Mayor Knight said his office has received numerous calls from citizens who are deeply concerned that these youth, mostly between the ages of twelve and eighteen, are going to get seriously hurt or, God forbid, killed because of the way they are riding their dirt bikes and four-wheelers throughout the city.

He explained that reports describe riders speeding, pulling wheelies, weaving in and out of traffic, and even stopping suddenly in front of vehicles before drivers have time to react. One caller told him about a close call at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Main Street, where a young rider cut in front of a car and stopped for a red light so abruptly that the driver almost ran over him. The man told the Mayor that if he had not been paying close attention, he would have hit the child, and that is exactly the type of tragedy the city wants to prevent.

A Message to Parents and Guardians

Mayor Knight reminded parents that they already know if their child owns one of these bikes, and he urged them to take responsibility before it is too late. He said that parents must step in and talk to their children, explaining that the city will not tolerate the way they are speeding up and down Moss Point’s streets.

He also warned that when police eventually catch them, the parents could be held responsible for their child’s actions. “Do the responsible thing,” he said, urging families to take action now and prevent an incident that could lead to injury or worse.

Community Responsibility

The Mayor also appealed to others in the community, asking that even those who do not have children involved still do their part. He said if you know someone whose child owns one of these vehicles, talk to them, encourage them to speak with their child, and ask them to ride responsibly or not at all.

He emphasized that dirt bikes and four-wheelers are not designed for paved roads and anyone using them in city traffic is putting both themselves and drivers in danger. They are meant for dirt and open fields, not the highway, he said, and using them on the street risks turning fun into a fatal accident.

A Unified Effort for Safety

Mayor Knight closed with a plea for cooperation between residents, parents, and law enforcement, asking everyone to help stop the dangerous activity before tragedy strikes. He encouraged citizens to contact the Moss Point Police Department if they see riders behaving unsafely so officers can intervene.

He said the city’s goal is simple, to protect its young people and prevent needless loss. “We don’t want our kids to get badly hurt or, God forbid, killed,” he said. “Please, parents and citizens, we need your help with this.”