KDPS' WebLog

G.R.E.A.T. Program

Kalamazoo, MI:  The Kalamazoo Dept of Public Safety will be starting a new school based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. The Gang Resistance Education and Training or G.R.E.A.T. program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. This program is another step taken by the KDPS to reduce youth violence.

The G.R.E.A.T. program consists of four components: a 13-session middle school curriculum, an elementary school curriculum, a summer program, and families training. The program targets 5th and 8th grade students using a dynamic series of in school training. G.R.E.A.T lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid using delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems.

For more information on this program, please visit www.great-online.org

2008 CURFEW ENFORCEMENT NEW CITY ORDINANCE

Kalamazoo, MI:  During the summer of 2008, Kalamazoo Public Safety will be collaborating with the Kalamazoo County Prosecutors Office to focus upon curfew enforcement. 

The Curfew Enforcement Program is designed to discourage curfew violations and reduce the criminal activity commonly associated with this offense.

The City of Kalamazoo recently amended the City Ordinance for curfew that now says sixteen years old and under cannot be out after midnight, twelve years old and under cannot be out past 10:00 pm.

This year’s program started June 12th and eleven curfew violators were apprehended over this past weekend. Last year Kalamazoo Public Safety apprehended 65 curfew violators during the summer of 2007. 

Anyone who may have information about curfew violators is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-994.

Youth Challenge

On June 19, 2008 Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety held the Kalamazoo Public Safety Youth Academy Challenge at Fort Custer Military Training Base.

KPS STUDENTS EDUCATED ON LAWS

Kalamazoo, Mi:
On several dates throughout this semester, concluding on Monday, June 9, 2008, officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) visited some area Kalamazoo Public Schools to educate hundreds of students on laws that may have an impact on them.  Topics covered included gun, moped, bicycle, and pedestrian laws; curfew, trespassing, and excessive noise ordinances; gang avoidance; and conflict resolution. Information was also given on summer programs in the City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation 2008 Summer Fun Guide.  Feedback confirmed that the students at all of the schools learned new information.

The Project Sentry presentation was used to cover the gun, gang avoidance, and conflict resolution components.  Project Sentry is a federally funded grant through Project Safe Neighborhood, which seeks to increase youth awareness of the consequences of involvement in gun violence, through education and enforcement.   

Project Sentry presentations given by Community Policing, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET), Operations, and Kalamazoo Township Police Officers were done at Maple Magnet Middle, Milwood Middle, Hillside Middle, and Phoenix/New City High School. 

Community policing includes educating citizens, and being proactive to prevent criminal activity. This method of policing is effective for both crime prevention and building positive relationships between the police and the community. KDPS is committed to community policing and to the reduction of youth violence and other criminal behavior

Detective Amy Hicok Reads to Students at Woods Lake Elementary

   

KDPS Officers Read to Students at Washington Elementary

   

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Reads to Lincoln Elementary Students

   

Captain Julie Parsons Reads to Children at Woodward Elementary School

   

Detective Michael Treu Reads to Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Students

 

KDPS Officers Gretchen Mayo and Joe Paul Read to Washington Elementary Students

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