With tens of thousands of motorists expected in town next month for Spring Break, the city today is launching B-Alert, a new easy-to-use service that will offer real-time traffic advisories and other information.
The new service can use text messaging, email or voice messages to landlines to relay emergency information or advisories pinpointed by location or focusing on an event. For its initial outing, the city is using B-Alert to provide real-time advisories for Spring Break, April 13-15, when tens of thousands of visitors are expected in town, primarily along Beach Boulevard in west Biloxi.
Residents and visitors are being asked to text SPBK to 888777 to sign up for the service. A confirmation text will be sent automatically. If residents would like to see more from B-Alert, such a geo-targeted notices, they can also sign up with their address (home and/or work), zip code, email address and landline. The B-Alert service is free, unless your cell plan has text charges.
Biloxi joins more than 8,000 public safety agencies across the country that use the service, which is provided through a firm called Nixle and has been instrumental in relaying information to the public using text messages, recorded voice calls or emails.
“Our Public Affairs office already uses a host of tools, including the city website, Bmail and social media, but B-Alert is a tool that sends out information to our entire audience in seconds,” said Biloxi Chief Administrative Officer Mike Leonard. “This tool will be instrumental in times of an emergency, whether it’s a hurricane evacuation, a tornado or other incident where getting timely information is vital. B-Alert will do that.”
Learn more about B-Alert
See the Spring Break Traffic Plan
News and notes: Weekly review, egg hunt images
The week that was: Last week, the Fire Department answered 161 calls for service, including 106 medical emergencies and five fires; the Police Department handled 2,615 calls for service; the Community Development Department issued 64 building permits with a construction valuation of nearly $5 million; and the Engineering Department continued to progress on projects throughout the city. To see the reports covering last week, click here.
Special needs egg hunt: The Biloxi Parks & Recreation Department hosted the annual Special Needs Easter Extravaganza on Saturday morning at Hiller Park. To see images from the event, click here.
Citywide egg hunt: The Biloxi Parks & Recreation Department also hosted the annual City Wide Easter Easter Extravaganza on Saturday at Hiller Park. The event, open to ages 11 and younger, included carnival games, refreshments and an egg hunt. To see images from the event posted by the Friends of Hiller Park, click here.
