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Local veterans recovery nonprofit outlines services as council discusses public-safety response to nearby shooting
Summary
Vets Recover representatives described 24-hour inpatient and outpatient services for veterans and first responders; the council also discussed an isolated multi-victim shooting at the Croc Center and emphasized ongoing investigation and community outreach.
A nonprofit that provides inpatient recovery and mental-health services for veterans and first responders described its services to the Biloxi City Council on June 16, while council members and the police chief discussed a separate shooting incident at a community venue.
Kent Davis, a retired U.S. Navy officer who represents Vets Recover, told the council the organization operates a 34-bed residential campus in Mobile with medically monitored detox beds, outpatient services and 24-hour transportation for people in crisis. Davis said the nonprofit provides a mix of clinical and peer-support services and that its indigent-care program provided roughly $3 million in uncompensated care in the last year. He urged the council and community partners to refer veterans and first responders in need and noted the facility’s accreditation and participation in the VA Community Care Network.
Separately in the meeting, the police chief briefed the council about a shooting that took place near the Croc Center during an event. The chief characterized the incident as an isolated interaction that escalated in a parking lot, involving brandished firearms and shots fired that resulted in multiple people being shot. He said investigators had a working understanding of who did what, did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the public, and expected further prosecutions as the investigation continued. Mayor and council members emphasized that the Croc Center is a church-operated facility with strict house rules and noted community concern while urging patience as investigators work the case.
Why it matters: Vets Recover’s services and outreach offer a nearby treatment option for veterans and first responders; the police briefing underscores local safety concerns after the shooting and the need for continued community engagement and communication during active investigations.
