KDPS' WebLog

Kalamazoo Public Safety Announces 13th Citizens’ Academy

Kalamazoo, MI:  Kalamazoo Public Safety, in conjunction with the Ecumenical Senior Center (ESC), will be hosting its 13th Citizens’ Public Safety Academy. The Academy will be held at the ESC, 702 N. Burdick, on Wednesdays, Noon. until 2:00 pm, October 8 through November 26, 2008. 

The intent of this program is to educate citizens on the many facets of Kalamazoo Public Safety.

Public Safety Officers will make presentations on Community Policing, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, Fire Safety, Traffic Enforcement, Use of Force, Explosive Devices (Bomb Squad), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Canine Unit, amongst others. 

Participants will also be taught basic First Aid and CPR techniques through a training partnership with LIFE  Ambulance personnel.  This Academy will also have an emphasis for our senior “seasoned” citizens on home, holiday, and traffic safety tips as well as scams and how to report criminal activity to best assist Officers.

The academy is free of charge and registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to attend the entire academy, but may attend on any of the academy dates., beginning Wednesday October 8, 2008.

Questions may be directed to Sgt. Joe Humphries at 269-337-8935

MOST WANTED ON OUTSTANDING WARRANTS

NAME:  Bombich, Lauri Lee
DATE OF BIRTH:  1-4-56
RACE / SEX:  W/F
HEIGHT / WEIGHT:  5’2”, 145 pounds
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR:  Gray
SCARS / MARKS / TATTOOS:  none
CHARGES / WARRANTS (3) 1-Prob violation for obtaining drugs by fraud, 2-prob violation for fleeing 4th degree and 3-prob violation for DWLS –all from Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office
POSSIBLE LOCATIONS:  3900 block of S. Burdick St. in Kalamazoo

NAME:  Bynum, Vernell Marie
DATE OF BIRTH:  10-10-78
RACE / SEX:  B/F
HEIGHT / WEIGHT:  5’5”, 150 pounds
HAIR COLOR: Black
EYE COLOR:  Brown
SCARS / MARKS / TATTOOS:  none
CHARGES / WARRANTS:  (5)- 1- prob violation for U&P from Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office, 2 – Criminal bench for FTA for pretrial on DWLS, 3- Criminal bench for FTA for arraignment on DWLS, 4- criminal bench for FTA for show cause on DWLS, 5- misdemeanor for interfering with police—last 4 from Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety   
POSSIBLE LOCATIONS:  900 block of Hazard Ave. in Kalamazoo

NAME:  Culver, Steven Dewayne
DATE OF BIRTH:  9-11-77
RACE / SEX:  W/M
HEIGHT / WEIGHT:  6’, 200 pounds
HAIR COLOR: Red
EYE COLOR:  Hazel
SCARS / MARKS / TATTOOS:  scar on upper right arm
CHARGES / WARRANTS: (2) 1-probation violation for embezzlement and 2- civil for child support both from Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office.
POSSIBLE LOCATIONS:  70000 block of 39th Street in Paw Paw

NAME:  Jones, Mcehrlich
AKA Jones, Mac Ehrlich
DATE OF BIRTH:  2-5-47
RACE / SEX:  B/M
HEIGHT / WEIGHT:  5’11”, 210 pounds
HAIR COLOR: bald
EYE COLOR:  brown
SCARS / MARKS / TATTOOS:  none
CHARGES / WARRANTS:     felony for CSC 3rd from Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety
POSSIBLE LOCATIONS:  1300 block of Krom St in Kalamazoo

SUSPECT FROM HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT IDENTIFIED

Kalamazoo, MI:  The Maroon Ford Expedition that was involved in a hit and run accident of 2 pedestrians yesterday in the 900 block of E. Crosstown St. has been located.  The driver of the vehicle has been identified and is expected to be charged with Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident.

Two Pedestrians Hit by Vehicle on E. Crosstown St.

Kalamazoo, MI:  Public Safety Officers were sent to the 900 blk. of E. Crosstown St. at 3:40am this morning on a report of a person hit by a vehicle.  Officers found a 23 year old Kalamazoo man lying in the roadway with obvious facial injuries.  He was taken to Bronson Hospital where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A second victim of this accident arrived at the hospital by private vehicle.  He is a 26 year old Kalamazoo resident, his injuries are considered minor.

The suspect vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived.  Witnesses describe the vehicle as a maroon or burgundy late 1990s or early 2000 Ford Expedition.  The suspect vehicle will possibly have Texas plates on it.  There will be minor passenger side front corner damage to the vehicle.

Anyone with information on this accident is encouraged to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

Two-Alarm Apartment Building Fire—Eight Rescued

Kalamazoo, MI:  On Friday, October 3, 2008, at approximately 12:25 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to report of a fire in the apartment building at 1338 Portage Rd.  Responding public safety officers encountered a large fire on the second floor of the building rapidly extending the to the third floor.  Residents were evacuating the building as officers arrived; however, some residents were trapped in their apartments and needed to be rescued from the burning building.  A second alarm was immediately issued for this incident resulting in the dispatch of two additional engine companies and a second ladder truck to assist the three engine companies and ladder truck that initially responded.  An additional ladder truck from Kalamazoo Township also responded to the scene.  The Texas Township Fire Department responded to re-supply firefighters with air tanks for breathing apparatus.

Public safety officers rescued eight people from the building. Five were taken from third floor windows and brought down ladders and three others were rescued from a third floor apartment and escorted out of the building.  The building is divided into 16 apartments, 12 of which are occupied.  Thirty people, including 19 adults and 11 children, live in the building.  Twenty-nine of those residents were home at the time of the fire.  There were no fatalities and no serious injuries as a result of this fire.  The building sustained extensive damage.  Cost of the damage has not been determined.  The American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist residents with emergency shelter.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes; however, firefighters remain on the scene conducting salvage and overhaul operations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  Kalamazoo Public Safety has responded to this premise previously on suspicious fires, including trash fires, in and near the structure.

Anyone with information about this fire is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Man Accosted and Shot

Kalamazoo, MI:  On Thursday, October 2, 2008, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Kalamazoo Pubic Safety Officers received a report of a gunshot victim who had arrived by private vehicle at Bronson Hospital.  Responding officers contacted the victim, a 21-year-old Kalamazoo man, who had been shot in the lower leg. 

The victim reported that he was walking in the area of 600 Elizabeth at approximately 7:20 p.m. when he was approached by another man who asked him for change.  The victim reports that he told the suspect that he had no change and continued walking when the suspect brandished a semi-automatic handgun and began firing the weapon.  The victim reported that the suspect fired the gun approximately four times, striking the victim once in the lower leg.
 
Officers responded to the area of 600 Elizabeth and continued their investigation, attempting to locate the suspect and/or witnesses to this shooting.  The suspect, described as a black male, 5’10”, mid-thirties, wearing blue jeans, a white hooded sweatshirt and red winter cap, was not located.  He was last seen walking toward William St. armed with the semi-automatic handgun used in this assault.

The victim underwent surgery at the hospital.  His injuries are not life threatening.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Kalamazoo Man Arrested for Home Invasion

Kalamazoo, MI:  Public Safety Officers were sent to a residence in the 4000 blk. of Rivington St. on a report of a home invasion.  An 88 yr. old woman was awaked by an unknown person inside her residence.  The suspect fled the home before officers arrived stealing the victim’s bank debit card.

Public Safety Officer Peter Hoyt and his K9  “Q” tracked the suspect to another residence in the 4000 blk. of Rivington St.  Officers spoke to the residents of that home but did not locate the suspect from the home invasion.  After investigating the origins of a can of beer the suspect had left behind at the victim’s home, officers were able to check local convenience stores and a suspect was later identified. 
Officers located the suspect in the Alpine Village Apt. complex.  The victims debit card was located as well as several items that were purchased with that debit card by the suspect.

The suspect is a 27yr. old Kalamazoo resident.  He was lodged in the Kalamazoo County Jail.

Anyone with additional information on this investigation is encouraged to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or call Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.Kalamazoosilentobserver.com

Three Car Accident Closes Gull Rd. for Several Hours

Kalamazoo, MI:  Public Safety Officers were sent to a serious car accident at 11:15pm on 09-29-08 in the 3300 blk. of Gull Rd.  First responding officers found three vehicles involved in the crash and each driver was injured, needing assistance in being removed from their vehicles by medical personnel.

The investigation revealed that one vehicle was driving west on Gull Rd.  That vehicle crossed over the center lane of traffic and struck an eastbound vehicle, which in turn pushed that vehicle into another eastbound car.  All three cars had only one occupant in them and all three drivers were sent to Kalamazoo area hospitals for treatment of their non-life threatening injuries.  Gull Rd. was closed for approximately three hours to complete the investigation and clean up from the accident.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this accident.  Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is encouraged to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or Kalamazoosilentobserver.com

Two Arrested for Burglary and Auto Theft on E. Cork St.

Kalamazoo, MI:  At 2:42am this morning, Kalamazoo Public Safety Sgt. Daniel Smith was on routine patrol when he noticed a vehicle sitting inside one of the bays of a car wash on E. Cork. Realizing that most people don’t often wash their cars at three o’clock in the morning, Sgt. Smith decided to take a second look. Further adding to his suspicions that something may be wrong, Sgt. Smith noticed  a male subject pacing back forth around the car not with a sprayer in his hand but with a cell phone.

Upon running the license plate of the vehicle, Sgt. Smith determined the vehicle was stolen, and quickly detained the suspect standing outside. As additional officers arrived on scene, they checked the building and found three cinder blocks removed from the rear of the building.  The opening was quite small so a police K-9 was brought in to assist. After a few persuasive barks from K-9 “Q”,  a second suspect surrendered who was hiding inside the building.

Further investigation revealed that the suspects had broken through the rear wall of the car wash in an attempt to steal coins that were stored inside. Both were arrested for Burglary and Possession of a Stolen Auto.

Kalamazoo Public Safety Announces 13th Citizens’ Academy

Kalamazoo, MI:  Kalamazoo Public Safety, in conjunction with the Ecumenical Senior Center (ESC), will be hosting its 13th Citizens’ Public Safety Academy. The Academy will be held at the ESC, 702 N. Burdick, on Mondays, 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., October 6 through November 24, 2008. 

The intent of this program is to educate citizens on the many facets of Kalamazoo Public Safety.

Public Safety Officers will make presentations on Community Policing, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, Fire Safety, Traffic Enforcement, Use of Force, Explosive Devices (Bomb Squad), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Canine Unit, amongst others. 

Participants will also be taught basic First Aid and CPR techniques through a training partnership with LIFE  Ambulance personnel.  This Academy will also have an emphasis for our senior “seasoned” citizens on home, holiday, and traffic safety tips as well as scams and how to report criminal activity to best assist Officers.

The academy is free of charge and registration is not required. Participants are encouraged to attend the entire academy, but may attend on any of the academy dates., beginning Monday October 6, 2008.

Questions may be directed to Sgt. Joe Humphries at 269-337-8935.