The Joplin Police Department releases crime numbers for 2022.

 The city of Joplin saw a six percent drop in overall crime in 2022, that's the lowest total in the last four years. However, there was a slight increase in violent crime. That includes assault cases and homicides, which doubled from five to 10 last year. That number does include the deaths of Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed, as well as the shooter in that case last March. Theft cases dropped by more than 200 reports. Burglaries are down, and car theft reports were down significantly in the report.