The City of Senatobia has adopted an ordinance to crack down on nuisances related to public gatherings.
The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to pass the statute at its monthly meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7.
One city official told the Tate Record police officers have been dispatched to several residential and commercial properties recently for loud music, public intoxication and various other disturbances.
Stephen Hodges, Director of Operations for the Senatobia Building & Planning Department, said the ordinance prohibiting nuisance-level gatherings mirrors what other municipalities currently have in place to assist police departments when dealing with large crowds.
“It’s a good way for us to stay ahead of development occurring because of growth and the types of businesses we are attracting,” Hodges explained. “Officers won’t patrol looking for these gatherings. It’s based on complaint-driven calls.”
Hodges said if a complaint call is received regarding a nuisance gathering, the new ordinance will allow a police officer to disperse the crowd for conditions other than just a curfew violation for minors.
“It basically puts the responsibility back on business owners and homeowners to control the event occurring on their property,” Hodges added. “The ordinance is not against the people who are gathering as much as it the person providing space for the event.”
The ordinance for “nuisance-level conduct” consists of the following offenses:
• Noise in violation of the city noise ordinance
• Obstruction of a street or public right-of-way including sidewalk
• Public intoxication or drinking in public
• Service of alcoholic beverages to minors
• Possession and/or consumption of alcohol by minors
• Assault, battery, fights, domestic violence or other disturbances of the peace
• Sale or service of alcoholic beverages without a required state license
• Vandalism or destruction of property
• Littering
• Urinating or defecating in public
• Trespassing
A “nuisance-level gathering” is described in the ordinance as a mass group of people at any residence or commercial establishment where nuisance-level conduct occurs or within 200 feet of the residence or commercial establishment which threatens or interferes with public health, safety or welfare or the comfortable enjoyment of life and property.
Aldermen approved several items on the consent agenda including an award of
$1,496,887 in Emergency Road and Bridge Repair (ERBR) funds from the Mississippi Department of Transportation to replace a bridge on Crossover Road on the west side of the city. The current bridge was constructed in 1992 and a received a “fair” condition rating following its last inspection.
Other items on the consent agenda authorized by aldermen include:
• Minutes from the regular mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Dec. 17.
• Docket of Claims numbers: 36773 – 36961 for $1,513,560.98.
• Donation of $500 from Tindall Farm for equipment for police department.
• Mayor, Board of Aldermen, city clerk, deputy city clerk, city attorney, and any needed department head to attend the Annual MML Conference in Biloxi July 20-24, 2025, and pay registration and travel expenses.
• Building Inspector Bryan Riley to attend the Flood Plain FEMA Conference Feb. 23-27, 2025, in Byram and pay registration and travel expenses.
• Resignation from Police Officer Antonio Caldwell effective Dec. 27, 2024.
• Resignation from public works employee Hardy Wilcox effective Jan. 3, 2025.
• Mayor Greg Graves signing an agreement with Dolores Wooten as election consultant services for 2025 elections.
• Mayor Graves signing an agreement with the Tate County Republican Executive Committee to work the 2025 city primary election(s).
• Mayor Graves signing an agreement with the Tate County Democratic Executive Committee to work the 2025 city primary election(s).
• Adoption of a Board order setting compensation for election commissioners.
• Adoption of a Board order setting compensation for poll managers and resolution board members.
• Declare K-9 Hero surplus and sell to the Marion Police Department.
• Move a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe with VIN 1GNLC2E0XDR228959 back into inventory, previously declared surplus Nov. 19, 2024.
