Joplin Fire Department reminds everyone to change smoke alarm batteries as Daylight Savings Time ends

(From the Joplin Fire Department)

As citizens “fall back” and move their clocks back one hour this weekend as daylight savings time comes to an end the Joplin Fire Department urges families to take steps to make their homes safer by changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.

According to a 2015 report by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half.

 

In addition, NFPA noted:

-Three out of five home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties with no or no working smoke alarms. In 2009-2013, smoke alarms, including those in fires too small to activate them, operating smoke alarms, and those that failed to operate, were present in almost three-quarters (73%) of reported home fires and sounded in more than half (53%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.

-Almost two out of five (38%) home fire deaths resulted from fires in which no smoke alarms were present at all.

-One of every five (21%) deaths was caused by fires in properties in which smoke alarms were present but failed to operate.

-Smoke alarms operated in fires that caused two out of five (40%) home fire deaths.
One percent of the deaths resulted from fires that were too small to activate the smoke alarm.

Of the main reasons why smoke alarms failed to operate is due to missing batteries or dead/discharged batteries. The NFPA report is full of statistical data. The bottom line is working smoke alarms provide early warning saving lives, preventing injury and reducing property damage.

Smoke alarm batteries should be changed bi-annually and detectors replaced every 10 years. Smoke alarms are available with non- replaceable batteries and are designed with a 10 year life span. However, whether replaceable battery or long life battery they should be checked monthly.

“We just want to encourage all residents to be aware of the safety precautions they can take to protect their families and pets,” said Fire Chief Jim Furgerson. “Installing a new battery is a simple measure that could prove to be life-saving.”

For more information about fire protection and safety, visit the Association’s site at http://www.nfpa.org.

Other safety tips homeowners can take as cooler weather approaches:

1. Have your furnace checked.

2. Have your chimneys and vents checked.

3. Test smoke alarms.

4. Cover the fireplace with a screen.

5. Beware of lit candles.

6. Beware of space heaters.

7. Know how to put out kitchen fires quickly.

8. Practice an escape route.

9. Fire extinguishers can be life-savers.

10. All household members should know 911.

Additional Info...

Joplin Police Officer of the Month located runaway juveniles, solved Vintage Stock, Vapor Maven burglaries

(From the Joplin Police Department)

OFFICER OF THE MONTH
September 2018

Officer Josh Dykstra

On 9-22-2018 Officer Josh Dykstra received information from the previous midnight shift that two juvenile males had run away from a facility in Kansas City, Mo. After running away, the two male juveniles stole a vehicle and drove to Joplin. The juvenile’s whereabouts were unknown at that time.

In the early hours of his shift on 9-22-2018, Officer Dykstra was dispatched to west 28th Street about the juveniles possibly being there.

When he arrived in the area, he observed the stolen truck from Kansas City occupied by two juvenile males. The juveniles were contacted and despite one of them lying about his identity they were detained. The juvenile’s denied ownership of most of the items inside the truck. The juvenile males were then taken to the Juvenile Detention Center for the stolen truck and being runaways.



During an inventory search of the vehicle several gaming consoles were located inside the truck along with other items that are used for vaping. 

When Officer Dykstra located these items, he had recalled that one of the juvenile males had stated that they had found an X-Box near Vintage Stock at the mall on the previous night. Officer Dykstra then went to Vintage Stock and contacted management. The manager said that the alarm had gone off the previous night but ignored it due to ongoing false alarm problems. Officer Dykstra then watched video with the manager and observed his two juvenile suspects burglarize the store during the overnight hours. Property belonging to Vintage Stock was recovered.

Later in the day Vapor Maven reported a burglary that was off Officer Dykstra’s beat. Knowing that it may involve his recovered property, he responded. It was determined that someone had thrown an object through a window, but the manager was certain that no persons entered the store. 

Officer Dykstra took the time to show the manager the property that had been recovered from the juveniles and the manager watched the video again to ensure his store was not burglarized. Officer Dykstra took the time to watch the overnight video with the manager at a slower speed. 

During this process, the two juvenile males were seen entering the store and stealing property. Officer Dykstra was able to return over eight-hundred dollars in property to the manager.

This is only one case that involves Officer Josh Dykstra going above and beyond his duties to assist citizens in need. Due to his diligence, compassion and dedication to his job he was able to recover a stolen vehicle, locate two juvenile runaways and solve two local commercial burglaries. Thank you, Officer Josh Dykstra, for your continued service and dedication to the City of Joplin.

Respectfully,

Matthew Stewart
Chief of Police

Joplin teen injured after vehicle rear ended by Freightliner on I-44

A Joplin teen and a Springfield woman were injured in a two-vehicle accident 3:20 p.m. Thursday on I-44, 15 miles west of Springfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2018 Freightliner driven by Balwinder Singh, 35, Riverside, California, struck a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Cassidy L. Newman, 19, Joplin, in the rear.



Newman was treated for minor injuries at Cox South Hospital, Springfield.

A passenger in the Singh vehicle, Ivry S. Bratton, 20, Springfield, was treated for moderate injuries at Cox South.

Moundville woman injured in collision with Lamar woman's vehicle in Airport Drive roundabout

A Moundville woman was injured in a two-vehicle accident 3:40 p.m. Thursday on Highway 43 in Airport Drive.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2011 Jeep Liberty driven by Connie S. Hawkins, 59, Lamar, failed to yield in a roundabout and struck a 2014 Hyundai Electra driven by Noel L. Davis, 49, Moundville.

Davis was treated for minor injuries at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin.

Barton County Sheriff's Office searching for missing man

(From the Barton County Sheriff's Office)

Sheriff Mitchell Shaw is asking for the help of the community.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of a missing man from our area. 

On October 24 a family member of Michael B. Rapue, age 29 made a report that he has not been seen or heard from for several days. We have attached a couple of photographs of Mr. Rapue just in case anybody should happen to locate or see him. 

 If anybody has any information in regards to his whereabouts you’re asked to contact the Barton County Sheriff’s Office at either 417-682-5541 or 417-682-5515 or you can contact your local law enforcement agency.

Joplin Police Department searching for these four sex offenders

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On Halloween Evening, The Joplin Police Department conducted compliance checks of 41 registered sex offenders who have to abide by the Halloween Law. Of the 41 checks, nine offenders were found to not be compliant. Officers also made an arrest of one offender for a warrant.

The Joplin Police Department will submit charges to the county prosecutor’s offices for the non-compliant nine offenders.

Additionally, four of the offenders who were non-complaint and therefore not located, have active arrest warrants. We are seeking their arrest. They are identified as:

Craig Bailey, 33 (top photo)

Heather Walker, 41

Jefferson Helton, 30 (top photo below)

Darrel Smith, 34

Anyone with any information can contact the Joplin Police Department, 417-623-3131.

Fifteen-year-old taken into custody after bringing gun to Neosho High School

(From the Neosho Police Department)

On November l around 14:43 hours, School Resource Officer Phillip Whiteman received information that a student was possibly in possession of a firearm at Neosho High School.

At the conclusion of Officer Whiteman's investigation, a Ruger.380 handgun was seized from a 15-year-old male from Neosho. The intent of the student's actions is unknown and is still a part of this ongoing investigation. 

No students were harmed and there is no reasons to believe any other students were directly involved with this isolated incident. 

The juvenile offender was taken into custody and released to the Newton County Juvenile Office.