Leaders: ‘Don’t scare the public’ about restaurant chain’s decision to change service in Mississippi city due to safety concerns

Leaders in one Mississippi city are urging residents to stop using social media to scare the public and spread false claims about Waffle House’s decision only to serve to-go orders on late weekend nights.

The Vicksburg Post reports that Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and Ward 2 Alderman Alex Monsour used a recent announcement by a local restaurant to discuss broader concerns about crime in the city during a Wednesday morning Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.

The discussion was prompted by Waffle House Division Manager Hope Baker’s announcement that Vicksburg’s four Waffle House locations would begin closing dine-in options on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., offering only to-go orders due to safety concerns. “We will also increase security,” Baker stated, apologizing for any inconvenience but emphasizing the safety of employees and customers.

Mayor Flaggs clarified that the decision was not a response to a surge in local crime. “The Waffle House safety policy is not related to any specific locality,” Flaggs explained. “This decision is part of a broader policy where some locations across the U.S. close during certain hours for safety reasons. This has been exaggerated, and I firmly believe Vicksburg is a safe city.”

Alderman Monsour echoed Flaggs’ sentiments, criticizing misleading social media posts that suggested rising crime was the reason for the Waffle House policy change. “Some people on Facebook are spreading misinformation to scare residents and push for administrative changes,” Monsour asserted. “The data does not support these claims.”

Monsour provided specific figures to back his point, noting that since January, the Waffle House on Pemberton Square Boulevard reported seven disturbances, averaging one per month, which he argued is not indicative of high crime. Other locations reported similarly low numbers: Frontage Road (16), Warrenton Road (6), and Clay Street (13).

Monsour concluded by urging responsibility and fact-checking before spreading information. “If you don’t like the current administration, that’s your issue, but don’t scare the public with false claims. The facts are clear; do your homework,” he said.