Kalamazoo, MI: On April 29, 2021 at approximately 1:50 am, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 1300 block of N. Rose for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival officers located a 17-year-old Kalamazoo man, suffering from numerous gun-shot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital and although expected to survive the incident, suffered severe trauma.

Detectives initiated an investigation and were able to determine the suspect to be, Dondrell Lavance Servant, a 20-year-old Oshtemo man. Members of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and Crime Reduction Team combined efforts and were able to arrest Servant, Tuesday, May 4, 2021 in the city of Kalamazoo. Shortly after the arrest, detectives with KDPS executed two search warrants at separate apartment complexes in relation to the shooting incident.

Servant is currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail and being held on a $300,000 cash surety bond. Servant was arraigned on charges for Assault with Intent to Murder, Felony Firearm, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon.

Anyone with any more information regarding this incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-337-8139, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

By authority of: Captain Craig Habel

Date: May 6, 2021

Address: 150 East Crosstown Parkway, Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Captain Craig Habel, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

Date:  Thursday, April 29, 2021

Address:  150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesR@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

Person Shot 1300 N. Rose St

Kalamazoo, MI: 

On Thursday, April 29^th, 2021 at approximately 1:50 a.m., officers with the Kalamazoo Department. of Public Safety responded to the report of a subject who had been struck by gunfire in 1300 blk of N. Rose St.

Officers arrived at the residence and located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  Officers provided medical treatment and transferred care to EMS personnel.  The victim was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in serious condition.

The victim, a 17-year-old male from Kalamazoo is currently listed in serious condition.

This incident is currently being investigated by Detectives with Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Operations Division at (269) 337-8142 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.

By authority of: Lt. David Juday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesr@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

Kalamazoo, Mich. – Officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) responded to the 1200 block of N. Church Street to investigate the report of felonious assault where a firearm was pointed at the reporting victims on the evening of Wednesday, April 7,2021. 

When officers arrived they located the suspected vehicle that was occupied with persons of interest related to the assault.  During the investigation, one of the occupants was ordered out of the vehicle. As they stepped out of the vehicle, the officers conducted a search of the individuals.

During this search, a firearm was found and the subject began actively fighting with officers.  Additional officers were requested to the scene to help safely detain the individual suspected of the felonious assault.  The first subject, a 15-year-old Kalamazoo resident, sustained only minor injuries and was arrested on multiple felony charges.

After the first subject was apprehended, a second subject from the vehicle also began fighting with officers. This second subject was arrested without any injuries on felony charges stemming from the investigation.

While being transported, the juvenile suspect complained of the tightness of the handcuffs and, within sound judgement and within policy, the officer stopped to check/adjust the handcuffs as needed to prevent any potential injury.  While adjusting the handcuffs, the subject tried to escape police custody by pushing past the officer and later biting the officer multiple times on her head. The officer was able to secure the juvenile back in the vehicle without further injury and continued the transport to the hospital for a medical evaluation from the original incident.

A subsequent search of the vehicle on Church Street located a second handgun related to the original felonious assault complaint.  In total, 3 Kalamazoo residents were arrested on numerous felony charges and 2 firearms recovered. 

“At the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, we are committed to providing fair and impartial treatment to citizens during every encounter – including during investigations – and treating everyone involved with dignity and respect,” said Vernon Coakley, Chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.  Body camera and vehicle dash camera footage from this incident as well as police reports are being reviewed to add clarity to the actualities about what happened in this situation.  Furthermore, we will be working with the prosecutor as to when we can release captured video footage, so our community has the facts.”

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KDPS to participate in national ‘U Drive. U Text. U Pay.’ distracted driving enforcement campaign April 8

Kalamazoo, Mich. – The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) will join law enforcement agencies across the state in a campaign to remind drivers about the dangers and consequences of texting and distracted driving on April 8. This annual campaign is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” high-visibility enforcement effort.

According to NHTSA, between 2012 and 2019, 26,004 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver. While fatalities from motor-vehicle crashes decreased slightly from 2018, distraction-related fatalities increased by 10%. NHTSA also reported that the number of deaths linked to driver distraction was 3,142 nationwide, or almost 9% of all fatalities in 2019. This represents a 10% increase over the year 2018, or 284 more fatalities. The distraction figure was the largest increase in causes of traffic deaths reported for 2019.

Millennials and Gen Z are the most distracted drivers, often using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while behind the wheel. According to NHTSA research from 2017, young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007. In 2019, 9% of people killed in teen (15-19) driving crashes died when the teen drivers were distracted at the time of the crash.

“Texting and other forms of distracted driving are increasing habits that put everyone at risk, even those of us in law enforcement,” said Matt Huber, Assistant Chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. “We want motorists to focus on driving, with their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

Violating Michigan’s distracted-driving laws can be costly. For a first offense, motorists are fined $100. Subsequent offenses cost $200.

Many drivers are guilty of a “double standard” when it comes to distracted driving. In its 2018 Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation reported that while nearly 96% of drivers believed it was very or extremely dangerous to read a text or email while driving, 4 out of 10 drivers admitted to doing so within the previous 30 days.

Drive Safe Every Trip

KDPS and NHTSA urge drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and do not drive while doing so. If you are the driver, follow these steps for a safe driving experience:

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
• Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. No text or post is worth ruining someone’s day — or taking a life. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.
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Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesr@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

Date: February 9, 2021

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: KDPS Criminal Investigation Division 269-337-8139

Kalamazoo, MI:

On 2/9/2021 at approximately 11:15am, Public Safety Officers responded to the 1300 block of California for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, Officers located a 45-year-old male suffering from a non-life-threatening stab wound to his chest. The male advised officers that he sustained the injury after a family member threw two knives at him. One of the knives struck him in the chest while the second knife missed him.

The suspect, a 14-year-old male from Kalamazoo, left the address on foot prior to officer’s arrival but was located a short distance away. The suspect was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home on the charge of felonious assault.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8120 or Silent Observer at 343-2100

By authority of:

Sgt. M. Ferguson #12557