Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Mayor Toby Barker and City of Hattiesburg officials dedicated the Public Safety Complex in honor of former Mayor Johnny L. DuPree. The ceremony marked the renaming of the state-of-the-art facility, which first opened its doors on September 27, 2022, at the corner of Hall Avenue and Edwards Street.
Johnny L. DuPree, who served as Mayor of Hattiesburg from 2001 to 2017, was the city’s first African American mayor and its longest-serving mayor to date. His leadership and dedication to the community played a crucial role in shaping Hattiesburg’s development and growth. DuPree also made history as the first African American to win a major party nomination for Governor of Mississippi since Reconstruction.
“It is our privilege to dedicate the Public Safety Complex to Mayor Dupree, whose career is a testament to lifelong service in our city,” said Mayor Toby Barker. “He stands as an example to future generations of what people can accomplish when they work hard, treat others with kindness and love their community.”
The Johnny L. DuPree Public Safety Complex, a 90,000-square-foot facility, houses the Hattiesburg Police Department and Municipal Court. The complex features modern amenities and cutting-edge technology designed to meet the needs of a growing and forward-thinking police force.
Additionally, it preserves a piece of Hattiesburg’s history by incorporating the original Methodist Hospital building, which served as the home for the police department and municipal court program from 1982 to 2016.
“The Public Safety Complex is a testament to Mayor Dupree’s unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our community,” said Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims. “We honor his legacy today and every day by continuing to strive for excellence in all that we do, ensuring that this complex is a symbol of the strength and unity of our community as well as our commitment to public safety.”
The Hattiesburg City Council voted to approve naming the Public Safety Complex in honor of Johnny L. DuPree on July 5, 2023.
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