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Vicksburg mayor speaks on Jacques’, crime and state of city
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Amid ongoing disputes with Jacques’, a local nightclub, the City of Vicksburg is working towards its closure. In light of these events, Vicksburg Daily News had an exclusive one-on-one interview with Mayor George Flaggs Jr.
Since May 6 of this year, two gunfire incidents have occurred at Jacques’ and its parking area. In the initial incident, four of Jacques’ security personnel sustained injuries. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued.
Another shooting took place on July 5, where law enforcement officials retrieved over 100 bullet casings, and a stray round caused damage to a window at the nearby convention center. Vicksburg police discovered 117 spent shells in the parking lot following the discharge of at least four firearms, which targeted vehicles, flood walls and the convention center itself.
On July 10, the City’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen made a decision, mandating both Jacques’ and their property owner, the Mulberry, to supply a Memorandum of Understanding guaranteeing public safety. The Mulberry complied and delivered the Memorandum, Jacques’ failed to do so.
On July 24, the City of Vicksburg filed a motion in Chancery Court to close Jacques’ “to prevent the suffering of immediate and irreparable injury and harm,” according to Assistant City Attorney and City Prosecutor Monica Allen.
On July 28, an incident was reported involving a 20-year-old at the establishment.
The initial hearing to shut down Jacques’ was Aug. 1 in Indianola, at the 9th Chancery District Court, with Chancellor Debra M. Giles presiding over the matter, taking over from Chancellor Vicki R. Barnes of Warren County who recused herself. They extended the meeting until the following Friday, Aug. 4. They were ordered to stay closed throughout the weekend, which coincidentally was when the city hosted the Mega Bucs Tournament. Mayor Flaggs then confirmed the Tournament will use the Jacques’ parking lot.
The debate concerning Jacques’ has been highly contentious on social media, dividing opinions between those advocating for the shutdown of the establishment, and others who believe that the business shouldn’t bear the responsibility for other people’s actions.
