In the past several months I have both observed and been told about the growing problem of the transient type having an effect on both residential neighborhoods as well as local small businesses. It has been brought to my attention that many of these “transient seeming people” are, in fact, involved with the trafficking of methamphetamine throughout the city.
Missouri has long been regarded as the methamphetamine capital of the United States, and while national statistics have been showing a State wide decrease in manufacturing, the same can’t be said for all parts of the State.
It doesn’t take a genius to notice the growing epidemic that continues to plague both the citizens and small business of the greater Joplin area. It merely takes 15 minutes of sitting in your vehicle around the 7th and Sergeant area to notice the exponential growth of middle-aged individuals on foot with backpacks loitering in various parking lots.
While it is safe to assume that not every middle-aged individual walking with a backpack is involved in the meth trade, the mere presence of such individuals seems to be contributing to both a diminishing feeling of security by residences in their homes as well as creating an unfortunate detriment to thriving small businesses in the area.
Anyone familiar with the service industry in Joplin knows that bars and restaurants on 7th street from around 7th and Main to 7th and Maiden Lane is where you can find some of the city's most popular establishments.
Unfortunately, it is many of these establishments that are being directly effected by this ongoing problem. So, that then poses the question, can anything be done to get this problem under control? The answer is not a simple one to say the least. Sure, citizens could ban together and begin battling loitering in an attempt to curb foot traffic in the area(s), but that would likely only accomplish a kick of the proverbial bucket down the road.
Joplin is a town that knows the meaning of perseverance more so than most, and has even been globally recognized for having citizens that go above and beyond for their fellow man in times of need.
From the users that destroy their own lives to those effected by the crime associated with using, many people, neighborhoods, and small businesses currently need help.
This is not to encourage vigilantism, rather to simply encourage the public to be more aware and observant of its surroundings.
If something looks suspicious, report it. If someone is in your neighborhood or around your business, the presence of which gives you an inherent bad feeling, report it.
Just remember, the police can only do so much, and investigations that actually lead to search and arrest warrants can take months to be signed off on by a judge.
At the end of the day, no resident should feel scared in their own neighborhood and no small business should suffer because of suspicious criminal activity. If you see something that you think looks suspicious, it’s likely for good reason. And don’t forget, any and and all crimes can be reported anonymously.
(David Hargroder is a Webb City resident with degrees in political science and law from Louisiana universities. He will be taking the Missouri Bar exam in February.)
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27 comments:
David seems to be a bit out of touch with the service establishments betwee Main Street and Maiden Lane along 7th Street. The last time I was down that road the restaraunts included Crabby’s, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Mojo, and the business in the former Ken’s Pizza building. There are no bars in that stretch with the exception of the one in Crabby’s. Has there been a lot of growth in that industry in the past two weeks?
Glad someone finally said it. I have lived in some of the worst areas of this country, including the Detroit and St Louis areas and I never been more conscious of safe guarding my property and family as I have recently right here in Joplin. I cannot wait to leave this area. I see it as more of an economical problem. Millennials are being squeezed financially in so many ways that my generation never had to deal with. Pay has been stagnant for DECADES, access to college is being taken away, health care is considered a privilege now, pensions are thing of the past, unionism/apprenticeships are looked down upon, the list goes on.
It is not Joplin itself that makes me want to leave- it is the fact that this area is controlled by people who want to see these issues mentioned above continue on the same path.It appears that 2/3 of the voters agree. They are cheering for the demise of all that I mention above and somehow believe that this will fix things. Good luck with that. Half of this country has no access to education, no access to health care, no access to the stock market or a pension, etc. I simply do not fit in here and that I have accepted that. I wish to live in an area not controlled by one mindset or one religion. I want an area that values its public education. We have one of the most technically advanced schools around yet we still have an abnormally high dropout rate and dominant voter party that supports the DeVoss family and its quest to further decimate our public schools. Best of luck to all of you.
805-David is not out of touch with the element controlling that area. I speak with many who work in the area and they are concerned with safety.
609, the establishments on 5th and main, down to the crabby's areas. If you really want to split hairs over one to two city blocks, be my guest.
Transients peddling meth? Maybe meth use is prevalent among that population but running a few displaced folks out of town won’t solve the problem. I know several folks that are productive members of society and are currently destroying their lives with meth. Meth has no preference to social class.
So what political office is Mr. Hargroder planning on making a run for?
Hope grammar and spelling aren't part of the bar exam.
Oh the hypocrisy! It’s one thing to have a drug addiction, it’s something else entirely writing a pretentious article blaming transients and calling on the city to take a stand against homelessness. Take a look in the mirror.
Joplin should be using funds to provide work opportunities and housing for the homeless.
Also some type of rehab programs for addicts. The only good in patient treatment programs are 60+ miles away in Clinton Mo or Girard Ks.
You cannot ignore the issues or sweep them under the rug.
Also the low income apartment complexes are a haven for drugs. Management does nothing to prevent the drugs on the property. You can report it and they do nothing.
It does no good to arrest people and they are back on the street in 24-48 hours.
I also suspect that Hargroder may have a political agenda in mind.
Although it may have an effect on businesses, homelessness isn’t a crime and blaming “transient seeming people” for the communities drug problem seems a little unreasonable. Especially when the only evidence backing this statement is from someone noticing middle-aged people walking around with backpacks while they were sitting in their car. Running displaced people out of town or throwing them in jail won’t fix the communities drug or homelessness problems. Drug addiction/abuse has no limitations when it comes to social class.
This is a load of self-righteous bologna, Nothing but a pathetic attempt to criminalize an already degraded group of our society. Meth use is just as prevelant in middle class and amongst those raised with a silver spoon in their mouths.
....like David.
That’s exactly what the community needs. An overly opinionated, son of a doctor, with absolutely no undersnding of how to solve homelessness and drug addiction.
I love your blog Mr Turner but can we have a little vetting next time. This is garbage.
I'm mystified as to how heroin is basically not a problem in Joplin, yet in Springfield, it is insane...oddly enough, in Springfield meth is less of an issue than ever.
It’s on its way.
Where did anonymous #6 gain his superior knowledge of the solution to the problem? More importantly, why aren't you out there showing the community what it needs? Lol.
Feel free to post a revised copy. I'll make sure anonymous #7 gets all the credit.
Anonymous #8, I think you should read slower. "Homelessness" is not mentioned once. The article focuses on suspected traffickers not struggling users.
Anonymous #10 please copy and paste the lines of the article that backup a single claim you're making. You do know what "seems" mean, correct? Somebody should have taught you to not speak and, or write in absolutes.
Never been a big fan of bologna. I always had trouble eating it with the spoon. Oh, and A12, the article brings awareness to trafficking; it says nothing about further criminal action against addicts.
I hope this comment didn't get you put on the naughty list, #14
Those transient seeming people will likely be this young esquires first client base. His view might change slightly over the next 6 months. Meth certainty a problem but we all learn quickly that it it’s much more complicated than calling jpd.
Is this the David G. Hargroder anyone can look up on Case.net?
Yep, sure is. It's also the same David you can look up on Soundcloud,rapping about doing drugs.
We need a long term drug rehab facility in Joplin.
We also need more programs and housing to help the homeless become productive members of society. Feeding them and giving them a place to sleep overnight sure helps but is a very long way to go to fix the core problem. They need permanent housing and job opportunities. And not just minimum wage fast food jobs.
Addicts have to want help and it has to be readily available, not 60 miles away. Many don't want to kick the habit yet that's why you see a revolving door for some of them at the local lock-ups.
Some areas of town are worse than others, poverty breeds crime-known fact.
There are alot of things that need fixed in this town but instead they waste money on building another building next to memorial hall and tearing up roads and putting in bike trails.
The people that have enough do not care about the poor only at christmas when they want to make themselves feel good, or when they need more of a tax deduction.
Instead of complaining about things get out and volunteer or have fundraisers to provide for the needs of your local community. Go to city meetings and demand that city council address the real problems we face and make them find long-lasting solutions and tell them to quit wasting our money on defunct ball parks or unnecessary buildings. Rennovate some of the empty buildings.
Make a difference.
God bless.
I don't think backpack carrying middle age people are the main problem. I see the people at the businesses in downtown Joplin and along 7th Street. I assume they are addicts but the people that distribute meth are usually driving nice cars. I don't know how close Mr. Hargroder has paid attention to these "seemingly transient people," but most of them are begging for change when I pull up. Those people are also usually known for the areas they are in and lots of them wouldn't do any damage to the property. I do know young kids that walk the neighborhoods and destroy or steal property just because they can. Oh and those young kids might even do drugs. I know that S.W. MO has a meth problem but trust and believe it is a problem for all economic classes and age groups. To see that is the first step to recognizing the real problem.
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