From the Desk of Robert Vincent, Chief of Police
Subject: Trespass Warning Issued for Gulfport City Hall Complex
Date: 2/24/2021
Location: 2401 53rd Street South
Narrative
On 9/4/2020, Gulfport Police were called to the city hall to address a complaint that Jesse Lee had just attempted to force his way into the community development office which was, at the time, closed to the public due to COVID-19. The community development office is in a separate building located in the city hall complex, along with the police department, fire department, and certain public works facilities. Lee had, on prior occasions, made threatening comments to city staff members who work in the city hall complex. Upon learning of Lee’s conduct on this particular date, City Manager James O’Reilly decided to issue a trespass warning to Lee, prohibiting him from entering the buildings at the city hall complex.
A police sergeant delivered the trespass warning to Lee, making it clear that the warning did not apply to open meetings of elected officials. During this interaction, Lee told the sergeant that he wanted to file a complaint against the director of the community development department. The sergeant told Lee that he would have to take that up with the respective department.
After the trespass warning was delivered, Lee got into his vehicle and drove off of the property. He stopped on the adjacent roadway and shouted to officers that he intended to return to the property in fifteen minutes. Officers then had a private conversation which was inadvertently recorded on one of the officer’s body cameras. At no point did any of the officers make any derogatory or unprofessional comments to Lee or any other member of the public.
Date: 2/24/2021
Location: 2401 53rd Street South
Narrative
On 9/4/2020, Gulfport Police were called to the city hall to address a complaint that Jesse Lee had just attempted to force his way into the community development office which was, at the time, closed to the public due to COVID-19. The community development office is in a separate building located in the city hall complex, along with the police department, fire department, and certain public works facilities. Lee had, on prior occasions, made threatening comments to city staff members who work in the city hall complex. Upon learning of Lee’s conduct on this particular date, City Manager James O’Reilly decided to issue a trespass warning to Lee, prohibiting him from entering the buildings at the city hall complex.
A police sergeant delivered the trespass warning to Lee, making it clear that the warning did not apply to open meetings of elected officials. During this interaction, Lee told the sergeant that he wanted to file a complaint against the director of the community development department. The sergeant told Lee that he would have to take that up with the respective department.
After the trespass warning was delivered, Lee got into his vehicle and drove off of the property. He stopped on the adjacent roadway and shouted to officers that he intended to return to the property in fifteen minutes. Officers then had a private conversation which was inadvertently recorded on one of the officer’s body cameras. At no point did any of the officers make any derogatory or unprofessional comments to Lee or any other member of the public.