More than 30 menace properties demolished in Moss Point

MOSS POINT, Miss. (WLOX) - The Jackson County Planning Department says it’s pressing on with its mission to tear down menace properties in the city of Moss Point.

Mayor Billy Knight said blighted properties can cause physical and mental health issues for residents who live nearby.

According to Jackson County Planning Director Marcus Catchot, 50 Moss Point homes have been declared a public menace, and 36 of those have already been demolished.

One of those abandoned structures is still standing on Dora Avenue. Mayor Billy Knight said the owners of this property have been given 30 days to tear down this duplex. The Board of Aldermen made that mandate on Tuesday.

Moss Point resident Aria Sims said menace properties hurt the quality of life in Moss Point.

“If they’re doing drugs or if they’re doing anything inside of the building, the building could catch on fire, and there’s nobody there to tend to the space,” Sims said.

“Rodents of all kinds will nest in those bushes and weeds on those houses, then go into the community and their properties,” Knight said. “When they’re vacant like that, homeless people, particularly in the wintertime, need somewhere to get out of the weather.”

Knight also said 30 days were given to the owner of a property on Old Slag Road that has abandoned cars on it.

Catchot said the city contracted with Jackson County Planning Department to handle its code enforcement about two years ago. He also said there are more than 300 cases, but a lot of them have been completed.

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