Bay St. Louis Recognized for Excellence in Public Safety

Big Buzz Blog - July 2024

BSL’s new award-winning police headquarters, which officially opened in March, is one part of the city’s overall strategy to optimize its police force and improve the quality of life for its residents.

- by Lisa Monti

Bay St. Louis recently received the Mississippi Municipal League's Excellence Award for Public Service. From left: Jason Chiniche, Heather Ladner Smith, Mayor Mike Favre, Councilman Jeffrey Reed, Police Chief Toby Schwartz, and Assistant Chief Alvin Kingston at the presentation.

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The state-of-the-art Police Department on Main Street has earned Bay St. Louis the Mississippi Municipal League’s 2024 Excellence Award in Public Safety for cities with a population under 10,000.
 
Mayor Mike Favre said constructing the new police station “highlights our commitment to providing top-notch facilities for our police department and ensuring the safety and security of our community.”
 

March's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new, state-of-the-art police headquarters building in Bay St. Louis.

 
The 10,000-square-foot police headquarters represents a significant investment in the city's public safety capabilities, Favre said. “It will serve as a cornerstone for law enforcement efforts, further strengthening Bay St Louis's ability to protect and serve its residents and visitors.
 
"This award underscores Bay St Louis's commitment to providing our first responders with the resources they need to effectively safeguard our residents and visitors," Mayor Favre added. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with state and local leaders to ensure Bay St Louis remains a safe and thriving community for all."
 
The building, located at 547 Main Street next to the fire department, was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony back in March. The lobby is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
 

Councilman Jeffrey Reed said the award is significant because with any community, “public safety is a big part of people moving in and about citizens feeling safe.”
 
Reed said the city has an all-time low crime rate in part because the police department is able to retain many of its officers, making the force stronger. “We have a great police department, and the new facility we built will be a big attraction for new officers coming in and also keep citizens feeling safe. It's an asset to our city and the bottom line is, it’s debt-free."
 
The $5.5 million facility was funded through grants and the city’s general fund.
 
The building was designed by Edward H. Wikoff Architect and engineering was done by Chiniche Engineering and Surveying. The new facility was named in honor of the late police chief Douglas Williams.
 
The Mississippi Municipal League Excellence Awards program recognizes cities and towns for meeting the challenges of municipal government through innovative problem-solving, excellence in management, citizen participation, and striving to provide a higher level of service.
 

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