Cruise Control

Some say it`s a problem that has plagued the downtown business district for too long. Now the community is having a meeting to talk about putting cruise control on local youth. By day, it`s a bustling center for business; by night, downtown Main Street is transformed into a hang out for area youth. Cpl. Chuck Niess said, "There are some problems. Since we started the enhanced enforcement earlier this spring, we`ve arrested 71 people for MIP`s, and we`ve had some narcotics arrests." But that`s not enough for some businesses who say cruising is hindering revitalization for the downtown area. In a prepared statement, one local business said "Cruising is nearing its peak season. What it brings to the downtown area is all negative... loud booming speakers that vibrate, heavy partying, fights, and vile language." But residents of Main Street don`t see cruising as a big problem. Rick Bayless is a resident of Main Street and said, "Kids show up at 10 o`clock on Friday & Saturday nights. They cruise up and down. They honk their horns. They rev their engines. Do things that kids are gonna do somewhere." David McCulley at Main Street Joplin said a community meeting will help bring a solution to such a well traveled problem. "It`s going to be good for the whole town to have a solution, not just being negative on the kids, because again, most of them are not causing any problems at all." Joplin police will be on hand to answer questions from any one in the community who is concerned about crusing. McCulley said, "But we need to make sure that for everyone`s safety, for everyone`s health, for the financial success of downtown and Joplin that we look into this problem and find good solutions for everyone." The meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 29 at the Central Christian Fellowship Hall, located at 417 Main Street. Current levels of law enforecement will also be discussed. The meeting will begin at 7 o`clock. Reported by: Ryan Loyd