Joplin Police Department

HOME
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
DEPARTMENT HISTORY
NEWS & PRESS
FALLEN HEROES
EMPLOYMENT
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT
REPORTS & STATISTICS
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
PREVENTION & EDUCATION
CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
OFFSITE LINKS
CONTACT JPD

Aug 27 2010
July Officer of the Month
Congratulations to Detective Chip Root for receiving the Officer of the Month award for July 2010....more

May 06 2010
Relay for a Cause Route 66
In honor of fallen officers, there will be two Evansville, Indiana police officers who are walking Route 66 to raise awareness and donations for the National Law Enforcement Office...more

Apr 16 2010
Online Crime Mapping Now Available to Joplin Residents
Joplin Police Department is participating in a trial mapping program now available on our website and at www.crimereports.com. On the website, it is found under the Reports & Stat...more

News Archive

About Gangs

Gangs

Once found only in large cities, gangs have invaded communities of all sizes across the United States. Gangs bring fear and violence to neighborhoods, traffic in drugs, destroy property, and drive out business. Gangs draw young people away from school and home and into a life of violence.

Learn About Gangs
Warning Signs
What You Can Do
What Communities Can Do

Learn About Gangs

Gangs can be organized around race or ethnic group, money-making activities, or territory.
Most gang members are male (but that is rapidly changing); they range in age from 8 to 22 years.
Young people give various reasons for joining gangs. Among the most common - to belong to a group, for protection, to earn money, for excitement, and to be with friends. For some, it's even family.
Gangs signal their existence and solidarity through clothing and head coverings, a special vocabulary, tattoos, hand signs, and tagging their territory with graffiti.
"Gangsta" rap paints a realistic picture of daily gang activity. The lyrics glorify violence, abuse of women, and disrespect for authority especially the police. Its popularity among the young has helped spread the culture of gangs, cutting across class, economic, racial, and geographic lines.

Signs That Your Child Might Be in a Gang

Changes in type of friends.
Changes in dress habits such as wearing the same color combination all the time.
Gang symbols on books or clothing.
Tattoos.
Secretiveness about activities.
Extra cash from unknown sources.
Carrying a weapon.
Declining interest in school and family.
Being arrested or detained by the police.

If you notice these patterns, get help. Contact the school counselor or the police department.

Make Sure Your Child Doesn't Need a Gang

Show your child love with lots of hugs and reassurances. Talk with and listen to your child.
Supervise your children's activities. Help them get involved in athletics or other activities that interest them.
Know about your child's friends and their friends' families.
Put a high value on education and help your child to do his or her best in school. Do everything possible to prevent dropping out.
Talk about your values and why you think gangs are dangerous. Discuss the violence, drug dealing, hatred of other groups for no reason, and the likelihood of being arrested and imprisoned. Don't forget to listen.

What Communities Can Do

Develop positive alternatives - after school, weekend, and summer activities where children and teens can learn, expand their world, and have fun.
Encourage parents to talk to one another through school forums, social events, networks, parenting classes, and support groups.
Cooperate with police and other agencies. Report suspicious activity, set up a Neighborhood Watch or citizen patrol, volunteer to clean up graffiti.
Get organized and show gangs that your neighborhood has zero tolerance for their activities. Your community has many resources who can work together against gangs including law enforcement, civic groups, religious congregations, schools, youth agencies, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA/YWCA, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, drug treatment services, and community centers.