- Call: (228) 475-0300
- Open Hours : Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Moss Point Police Department is continuing to build stronger relationships across the community, and that work is showing up in ways people can see. Under the leadership of Chief Dennis Stevenson, the department is making community engagement a real priority, not just something talked about when the cameras are on. From open conversation at City Hall to youth focused outreach at the riverfront, the message is clear. This department understands that public trust is built through presence, consistency, and connection.
That commitment was recently reflected in two meaningful efforts. The first was a community Meet and Greet that gave residents the chance to spend time with officers and local leaders in a welcoming setting. The second is Operation Safe Streets, an upcoming Spring Break event designed to give young people a safe, positive place to gather while school is out. Together, both efforts show a department that is working to stay connected to the people it serves while helping move Moss Point in the right direction.
On March 23, the Moss Point Police Department hosted a Meet and Greet at City Hall that brought residents, city leadership, and law enforcement together for an evening centered on conversation and community connection.
Events like this matter because they create space for people to interact outside of difficult or high stress situations. Residents had the opportunity to meet officers, ask questions, and have real conversations in an environment that felt open and approachable. That kind of setting helps build familiarity, and familiarity goes a long way in building trust.
Several local leaders were in attendance, including Mayor Billy Knight, Alderman Darius Wilson, Chief Dennis Stevenson, Supervisor Ennit Morris, and NAACP President Curley Clark, along with several members of the Moss Point Police Department. Their presence added to the strength of the evening and reflected a shared commitment to keeping the lines of communication open between city leadership, law enforcement, and the community.
By all accounts, the event was a success. It gave people a chance to engage directly, it encouraged meaningful dialogue, and it reinforced the idea that strong communities are built when people show up, listen, and stay involved.
Community policing works best when people know the officers who serve them and feel comfortable engaging with them. That doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistency, visibility, and a leadership approach that values relationships as much as response.
That’s part of what stands out in the direction Chief Stevenson is leading the department. There’s a clear understanding that trust is built over time through real interaction, steady presence, and a willingness to stay engaged with the community beyond moments of crisis. A Meet and Greet may seem simple on the surface, but the impact is real when it helps strengthen communication and reminds residents that the department wants to be present, accessible, and connected.
That kind of approach matters in any city, but it matters especially in a community that values relationships and wants to see its institutions remain visible and involved.
That same commitment to connection is also showing up in the department’s work with young people.
On April 2, the Moss Point Police Department will partner with Moss Point Parks and Recreation to host Operation Safe Streets: Spring Break Moss Point at the Downtown Riverfront from 2 PM to 6 PM. The event is designed to create a safe, positive environment for local youth during Spring Break while also giving families and community members a chance to come together in a fun and welcoming setting.
The afternoon will include a Battle of the DJs featuring DJ Rookie Roy and DJ Twin Lee, along with free food, giveaways, activities, and teen resources. It’s the kind of event that brings energy and entertainment, but it also serves a larger purpose. It gives young people something positive to be part of, keeps community partners visible, and reinforces the message that Moss Point is willing to invest in its youth in practical ways.
The theme, Have Fun Not Guns, is direct and timely. It speaks to prevention, personal responsibility, and the importance of creating opportunities that encourage good decisions before problems ever begin. That’s what makes this event more than just a Spring Break gathering. It’s a reflection of a broader effort to stay engaged, stay visible, and create positive alternatives for the next generation.
What ties both of these efforts together is leadership that understands community engagement has to be intentional. It has to be ongoing. It has to show up in ways people can recognize and respond to.
Under Chief Stevenson’s leadership, the Moss Point Police Department is showing that building relationships is part of the work, not separate from it. That can look like welcoming residents into City Hall for open conversation. It can look like partnering with Parks and Recreation to create safe opportunities for young people. In both cases, the goal is the same. Stay connected to the community, strengthen trust, and help create a safer, more united Moss Point.
That kind of leadership doesn’t rely on words alone. It shows up in action, in presence, and in a willingness to meet people where they are.
The Moss Point Police Department is building community relationships in ways that matter. Through the recent Meet and Greet and the upcoming Operation Safe Streets event, the department is demonstrating a practical, people centered approach to public service under Chief Dennis Stevenson’s leadership.
These efforts deserve recognition because they reflect more than a single event or a single initiative. They reflect a department that is making the work of connection, trust, and community presence part of how it serves Moss Point every day.
Photos & Story by Experienced Results
