Annapolis Police To Hold Gang Prevention Community Meeting

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Annapolis Police Department will hold a bilingual community meeting to address missing person cases, child safety tips and how to prevent gang involvement Monday, Sept. 11 in the Annapolis Middle School cafeteria.

In a press release sent out Friday, police said many missing juveniles reported in Annapolis involve children who leave their homes to runaway. These children typically return home quickly, but in some cases the circumstances are more complicated.

Police said children may be involved in criminal activity or with criminal gangs, which could be the reason they are missing. Police encourage parents to be educated and aware of gang activity in the community. The community meeting will address what parents can do to recognize and prevent gang involvement.

Police recommend parents familiarize themselves with their children's online activity, keep parental controls on their cell phones and computers, talk to your children about gang involvement and spend time together as a family.

Current missing persons in Annapolis are:

• Javier Rodriguez, 18yo, last seen August 7, 2015
• Jenny Rivera-Lopez, 21yo, last seen June 24, 2017
• Neris Bonilla-Palacios, 17yo, last seen August 5, 2017
• David Rivera, 16yo, last seen August 29, 2017

Jenny Rivera-Lopez and David Rivera are not related, police said.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in both English and Spanish. Parents can find out more information on gang involvement at the Annapolis Police Department's website here.

If you have any information about gang activity in Annapolis or specific information about any missing persons in Annapolis please contact detectives at 410-260-3439. You can also contact the Latino Liaison, Joe Hudson, at 410-858-0759 or jehudson@annapolis.gov.

If you want to provide information anonymously call our tip line at 410-280-CLUE (2583). To give anonymous information about a specific crime or a wanted person you can call Metro Crime Stoppers of Maryland at 1-866-7LOCKUP (1866-756-2587), visit www.metrocrimestoppers.org, or submit a tip through the P3 tip app available for iPhone and Android phones.

Patch File Photo