Hattiesburg police add Archer 1200 barriers for event safety

Hattiesburg police said they recently received Archer 1200 mobile vehicle barriers through a grant from the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security to enhance safety at parades, festivals and other public events.

The department said the portable steel barriers can be deployed quickly to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering pedestrian areas while maintaining controlled access for emergency responders and authorized personnel.

Forrest County Emergency Management and the University of Southern Mississippi Police Department also have the same type of barrier, the Hattiesburg Police Department said. By coordinating and combining resources, the agencies can provide greater coverage for larger community events.

Hattiesburg officers have completed hands-on training to deploy and operate the new system, and the department said the equipment and regional partnership add another layer of protection to measures already in place for large gatherings. We will provide more information as it becomes available.