KDPS' WebLog

Officers Participate In Good Neighbor Grant Event

Kalamazoo, MI:  On Thursday, January 17, 2008 Kalamazoo Public Safety officers from the Community Policing Unit, K9 Unit and Operations Division attended a community dinner and family night, which was held at the First Congregational Church, 129 S. Park Street. Participants were Even Start and Drop-In Child Care Center families and funding was provided by a Kalamazoo Community Foundation Good Neighbor Grant.

Over 75 children and adults attended and had the opportunity to interact with officers on a positive note. The officers assisted with the event by serving the meal, making crafts with children and playing games. The children also had the opportunity to have their picture taken with officers.

Other participating partners were:  Kalamazoo Public Schools - Even Start Literacy Program, Barnes and Noble of Portage, MI, Panera Bread of Kalamazoo, and Simply Marketing of Kalamazoo. Linda Digby was the event coordinator and is a Board Member of the Kalamazoo Drop-In Child Care Center.

A special thanks also goes to center Director Kathy M cNinch and  her staff.

Early Morning Fire

Kalamazoo Public Safety Responded to a house fire at 114 W. Emerson in the early morning hours. Despite the freezing temperatures, officers were able to contain the fire. No injuries were reported.

Chief Mallery announces radio interviews

Chief Jim Mallery has announced he and Deputy Chief Don Webster will be conducting bi-monthly interviews with radio personality Dave Jaconette on AM 590 WKZO beginning January 25th 2008.  The interviews will take place on Fridays between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.  AM 1560 "The Touch" has also partnered with KDPS and will be broadcasting taped excerpts of the interview on Monday through Friday in short segments during the day. 

Both chief's will be discussing new community interaction initiatives and other topics of interest to our citizens.

KDPS will be posting the audio interviews soon so if you missed one check back here to listen!

CHARGES ISSUED IN ARMED ROBBERY/SHOOTING

Kalamazoo, MI:  On February 6, 2008 shortly before 1900 hours, a subject flagged down a Kalamazoo Department Public Safety Officer in the 600 block of N. Rose to report an Armed Robbery.

The Kalamazoo resident reported that he was driving in the area of North and Douglas when two subjects flagged him down and asked for a ride home. He drove them to the area of Park and Frank St at which time the subject in the back seat pulled out a handgun and told the victim to get out of the vehicle. The victim grabbed the handgun and during the struggle for the weapon it discharged several times, striking the 2nd suspect who was sitting in the front passenger seat.

The suspects ultimately ran from the car in an unknown direction. The weapon was recovered at the scene. During a search of the area Officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety arrested a seventeen year-old Kalamazoo resident after he walked up to a LIFE Ambulance in the 900 block of N. Park St reporting that he had been shot. The suspect had two gunshot wounds that were both non-life threatening. The suspect was transported by LIFE to Bronson Hospital where he was treated and released.

The case was presented to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutors Office and charges were issued against both suspects.

The suspect that was shot was identified as Maurice Cuttino Primer, a 17-year-old Kalamazoo resident. He was taken into custody after the incident for the charge of Armed Robbery and remains lodged at the Kalamazoo County jail.

The second suspect was identified as Troy DeRoy-DeVito Swindle Jr, a 17-year-old Kalamazoo resident. Charges authorized against Swindle were for Armed Robbery, Felony Firearm, and CCW. Swindle was also involved in an accidental shooting on January 13, 2008 in which he carelessly discharged a firearm wounding a 15-year-old female in the leg. A warrant was authorized for his arrest on this incident for careless discharge of a firearm causing injury, a 2-year misdemeanor.

Swindle remains at large and anybody with information on his whereabouts, or information concerning this incident, is asked to call the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at (269) 337-8994, Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100 or www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com

Toronto Crime Stoppers appeal for tips

The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance identifying an eight−month−old girl.

She is described as black, light complexion, approximately eight months old. She was found wearing a green hat and a white snowsuit with a pink jumper underneath.

Investigators have asked for the assistance of Crime Stoppers to help extend the search of this child’s parents, or guardians, beyond Toronto. Investigators have not yet received any information that has led them to the child’s identity, or the whereabouts of her family.

We are asking that this release go throughout the Crime Stoppers programs in North America. Someone has got to be able to identify this child.

She was found facedown on the cement in the stairwell of a Plaza parking garage, near the intersection of Leslie Street and Finch Avenue East at approximately 12:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. She had been lying there for approximately 2 hours. The temperature that day was -14 degrees C.

Investigators would like to make the public aware of a green vehicle that was seen in the
parking lot.

The community−operated Toronto Crime Stoppers program has released the  surveillance footage of a green vehicle of interest relating to an abandoned baby girl on their YouTube account (www.youtube.com/1800222tips) and Facebook (Group “WHO AM I ?”).

The Information can also be viewed on the Toronto Crime Stoppers Website www.222tips.com , under the heading “News”.

Further videos will be posted on the Crime Stoppers YouTube account as information becomes available. The public is urged to share the YouTube videos with their online contacts and invite their Facebook friends to view the information on the noted group.

Anyone with information is urged to contact investigating officer Detective Keith Moxley at 416−808−3300.

The public is reminded that comments, discussions, video or photos posts on YouTube and Facebook are open for public viewing. The only means to report anonymously, and have the protection of the Supreme Court of Canada, is by calling Crime Stoppers directly or sending an online tip.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto Police at 416−808−3300, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), or online at www.222tips.com.

Officers Participate In Hands Across the Border Fundraiser

Kalamazoo, MI:  On Thursday, January 31, 2008 Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officers from the Operations Division participated in a Hands Across the Border fundraiser at Lincoln International Studies School.

Over 200 students, their parents, Lincoln staff, and Public Safety Officers enjoyed snacks, games, and activities.  For a nominal ticket purchase, students were able to have their teachers and/or Lincoln staff “arrested” by the officers and taken to jail (the school library).  The students were also given the opportunity to “bond them out.”  For those not fortunate enough to be bonded out, mercy was given after ten minutes.

As part of an exchange student program, eleven Lincoln students will be spending a week with host families in Mexico, February 15-22, 2008. Then in May of this year, elementary students from Mexico will spend a week with host families here in Kalamazoo.  Lincoln International Studies School has participated in this program for approximately the past seven years.

Fundraising is still in progress for the students’ travel expenses and to cover activity costs when the Mexican exchange students visit Kalamazoo.  If businesses and/or individuals would like to make a donation, you may contact Adrienne Johnson at 269-337-0640.

Armed Robbery Suspect Shot During Attempted Carjacking

Kalamazoo, MI:  On February 6, 2008 shortly before 1900 hours, a subject flagged down a Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer in the 600 block of N. Rose to report an Armed Robbery.

The Kalamazoo resident reported that he was driving in the area of North and Douglas when two subjects flagged him down and asked for a ride home. He drove them to the area of Park and Frank St at which time the subject in the back seat pulled out a handgun and told the victim him to get out of the vehicle. The victim grabbed the handgun and during the struggle for the weapon it discharged several times, striking the 2nd suspect who was sitting in the front passenger seat.

The suspects ultimately ran from the car in an unknown direction. The weapon was recovered at the scene. During a search of the area Officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety arrested a seventeen year-old Kalamazoo resident after he walked up to a LIFE Ambulance in the 900 block of N. Park St reporting that he had been shot. The suspect had two gunshot wounds that were both non-life threatening. The suspect was transported by LIFE to Bronson Hospital where he was treated and released.

The suspect was arrested on an Armed Robbery charge and lodged in the County jail. The second suspect was not located and is described as a B/M 17-20 years-old 5’10” 150 lbs wearing a black coat.

Kalamazoo Public Safety continues to investigate this incident. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the police at (269) 337-8994,  Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100 or www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com