RESOLUTION NO.

2023-172

WHEREAS, one of the primary responsibilities of the governing authorities of the City of

Hattiesburg (“the City”) is to secure the general safety, protection and welfare of the residents and

businesses of the City; and

WHEREAS, when a business or organization operates or allows its customers and/or

patrons or others who come on its property to act in a manner that endangers the safety, protection

and welfare of its patrons, area residents, businesses and customers of area businesses, so that the

operation of such a business or organization may be properly deemed a public nuisance, it is

appropriate for the governing authorities of the City to bring an action in Court to abate said public

nuisance; and

WHEREAS, various illegal and obnoxious activities have repeatedly occurred in and near

the Dragon House, 6131 U.S. Highway 49, Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi (“the Dragon

House”), including, but not limited to, fights, shootings, robbery, and vandalism; and

WHEREAS, between January 28, 2017, and December 9, 2023, thirty-three (33) incidents

occurred at 6131 U.S. Highway 49, Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi, in which Hattiesburg

Police Department (HPD) officers were dispatched to the Dragon House, which incidents included

aggravated assault, petit larceny, auto larceny, armed robbery, simple assault, malicious mischief,

grand theft auto, disorderly conduct, illegal possession of firearms, and underage drinking; and

WHEREAS, the latest incident occurred on December 9, 2023, when, at approximately

11:39 p.m., officers of the Hattiesburg Police Department (HPD) responded to a shooting in the

parking lot at 6131 U.S. Highway 49. Upon arrival, the HPD officers learned that three (3) people

had been shot and had been transported to Forrest General Hospital. Numerous shell casings were

recovered by HPD officers in and around the Dragon House; and

WHEREAS, having to repeatedly respond to these incidents has put a strain on the

resources of HPD since but for having to respond to these incidents at this single location HPD

could more effectively provide law enforcement services to the entire City of Hattiesburg.

NOW, THEREFORE, having been presented evidence of these continuous and repeated

obnoxious and illegal activities occurring in and around the Dragon House, the City Council of the

City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has determined and FINDS that the operation of the Dragon

House constitutes a public nuisance and should be abated.

1
 BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hattiesburg authorizes and directs

the City Attorney to bring an action in the Forrest County Chancery Court or other appropriate

venue to immediately and permanently abate the public nuisance operating as the Dragon House.

The above and foregoing resolution, after having been first reduced to writing, was introduced
by Council Member ______________; seconded by Council Member ___________________, and was
adopted by the following vote, to wit:

YEAS: NAYS:

The President thereby declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted, this the 19th day
of December, 2023.

(SEAL)

ATTEST: ADOPTED:

___________________________ ________________________
CLERK OF COUNCIL COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The above and foregoing Resolution having been submitted to and approved by the Mayor, this
th
the 19 day of December 2023.

ATTEST: APPROVED:

____________________________ __________________________
CITY CLERK MAYOR