Ocean Springs passes order affecting bars, restaurants during Labor Day weekend

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV) — City leaders in Ocean Springs passed an order affecting bars and restaurants over the holiday weekend, in response to recent acts of violence in the city.

The new proclamation, which has been passed by the City of Ocean Springs, is going into effect for Labor Day weekend following an uptick in violence in the city over the last few weeks.

The order will affect businesses that sell alcohol, like the many bars, restaurants, and night clubs that the downtown area is known for. On Saturday through Monday, alcohol sales will end at 1:30 a.m. and businesses selling spirits will have to close by 2 a.m.

This comes after two separate shootings in the city over the last two weeks. No one was injured in the incidents, but police say one of them stemmed from an altercation at a downtown bar.

City leaders are pushing to address the issue with this short-term proclamation. It is unclear at this time if the city will extend the order further than the holiday weekend.

While most local bars already close between midnight and 2 a.m., there are a few that keep their doors open well into the morning. One establishment we spoke with believes this could affect those small businesses in the long run if the city continues to move in this direction.

The board of alderman will meet again on Tuesday, where the topic will be back on the table for discussion.