Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. was vocal about both crime and “panhandling” in Vicksburg’s downtown district during the regular meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Friday. Flaggs said the city is making a concerted effort to increase security in the downtown area.

“We are going to shut this down,” Flaggs said. “Enough is enough and it has to end.”

Flaggs said a meeting with both local law enforcement and downtown officials has produced a plan that will see the police department work hand-in-hand with private security in the area.

“I had a very productive meeting yesterday with Chief (of Police Penny) Jones, Deputy Chief (Charlie) Hill and (Downtown Main Street Executive Director) Kim Hopkins, as it relates to vagrancy and panhandling in downtown Vicksburg,” Flaggs said Friday. “We have developed a new plan of action so that there will be more and extended police and security presence both day and night.”

Jones said Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) officers will be working with private security already on the job in the downtown district in order to better address any unsafe and/or illegal behavior.

“They have private security through Main Street. They’ve had security working at night and in the evening time. Now, they’ll be there during the daytime,” Jones said. “Security will be parked up and down the street, and then we’ll take over in the evening time. And we’re just encouraging the businesses to, of course, if they see something, say something.”

Flaggs said the cooperation of local businesses in reporting violations will be key to the city’s new plan becoming effective.

“If panhandlers approach you begging, I ask that you take a picture and call the police to report it,” he said. “Especially if they are frequently seen. The picture will help police to know who they are looking for, as well as allowing us to keep a record of panhandlers that have come into the city.”

VPD officials said any documentation through photography should be done safely and at a reasonable distance and police should always be notified of the situation.