The Biloxi Police Department is partnering with Papa John’s Pizza to collect items for first responders in Beaumont, Texas.
Beginning Friday, the Lopez Quave Public Safety Center, 170 Porter Ave., and all south Mississippi Papa John’s Pizza stores will be accepting hurricane relief items for Beaumont Police Officers and their families.
Beaumont, a town of 118,000 residents located 84 miles east of Houston, sustained devastating amounts of rainfall and widespread flooding that lasted for several weeks after Hurricane Harvey moved over the area Aug. 25.
During the storm and aftermath, many officers remained on duty, neglecting their own personal losses.
Biloxi police and Papa John’s have stepped in to help those officers and their families by collecting needed items.
Biloxi and Beaumont Police have worked together for many years through cadets attending the annual Biloxi Police Explorers Academy.
“We know what it feels like to work during a devastating storm,” Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said. “We had many agencies come help our officers and we want to do the same for others.”
A two or three-member team is expected to accompany a group from Papa John’s and others from the Hattiesburg area on the five hour trip in the near future.
Also, donations will be accepted during the Biloxi Police Department’s Annual Community Festival Against Crime, which takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Point Cadet Plaza.
In addition, the Biloxi Police Department will be accepting donations for the Callier County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department through the end of the month.
The deadline to donate for the Beaumont, Texas first responders is Sunday, Sept. 17 and for the Callier County Sheriff’s Department is Sept. 29.
BPD Papa John’s hurricane items
See the Community Festival Against Crime flyer