Concerned citizens gathered last week to discuss increase in area thefts
September 20, 2023
Photos and Story by Adriana Keeton, [email protected]
Donnie Stumpff spoke with citizens regarding setting up neighborhood watches within communities and asked that questions for elected officials to be submitted for review.
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Robert and Sheila Wolf, of Eagle Rock, addressed their concerns with the recent thefts and the effects it is having on our communities during Thursday’s meeting.
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Ryan Preddy, shown above center, owns a business in the Hilltop area and has had numerous thefts.
Last Thursday, the American Legion Pavilion, in Cassville, saw a gathering of over 100 concerned citizens from Cassville and the surrounding area. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the recent increase in crime, specifically thefts, and the area’s increasing drug problem.
The meeting was spearheaded by Donnie Stumpff and Brice Stehlik, who have had recent incidents at their properties, with Brice experiencing two thefts within four days this month alone. When asked how many people in the room have had an issue, most of the house raised their hands.
According to Sheriff Danny Boyd, from January 1 to June 1 of this year, the department responded to over 6,000 calls and has seen an increase in crime by 50 percent throughout the county.
The focus of the meeting was to brainstorm what citizens can do to join forces with local law enforcement. Several citizens shared their stories and voiced their concerns regarding what needs to be done to address the increased crime rate, the lack of prosecution for the crimes, and the shortage of law enforcement personnel in the City of Cassville and the county.
According to Stumpff, the initial meeting was to gather as a community and address any questions the people had for elected officials and how each community or city within Barry County needs to incorporate a neighborhood watch. An email has been set up where citizens can voice their concerns at [email protected]. Another meeting will be planned in the next 45-60 days to address submitted citizen concerns.
The meeting was spearheaded by Donnie Stumpff and Brice Stehlik, who have had recent incidents at their properties, with Brice experiencing two thefts within four days this month alone. When asked how many people in the room have had an issue, most of the house raised their hands.
According to Sheriff Danny Boyd, from January 1 to June 1 of this year, the department responded to over 6,000 calls and has seen an increase in crime by 50 percent throughout the county.
The focus of the meeting was to brainstorm what citizens can do to join forces with local law enforcement. Several citizens shared their stories and voiced their concerns regarding what needs to be done to address the increased crime rate, the lack of prosecution for the crimes, and the shortage of law enforcement personnel in the City of Cassville and the county.
According to Stumpff, the initial meeting was to gather as a community and address any questions the people had for elected officials and how each community or city within Barry County needs to incorporate a neighborhood watch. An email has been set up where citizens can voice their concerns at [email protected]. Another meeting will be planned in the next 45-60 days to address submitted citizen concerns.