Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

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KDPS posthumously promotes Robert “Al” Goodwin to Sergeant

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In Honor of Black History Month the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety posthumously promotes Robert “Al” Goodwin to Sergeant, the first African-American officer to retire from the Kalamazoo Police Department (1951-1976)

Kalamazoo, MI:

The letter below from Chief Jeff Hadley to Sgt. Goodwin’s widow Juanita Goodwin outlines some of the accolades which support a well-deserved promotion. The letter along with a shadow box was presented to Mrs. Goodwin at her 90th Birthday party on January 23rd, 2016. The formal acknowledgement by the Kalamazoo City Commission, Mayor Bobby Hopewell, City Manager Jim Ritsema, and Chief Hadley will be on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at 7 p.m., in the City Commission chambers at 241 W. South St. Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Mrs. Goodwin and Family:

It is my sincere pleasure and honor to inform you that the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, in memory of your late husband Robert “Al” Goodwin, will posthumously promote him to the rank of Sergeant for his 25 years of dedicated service to this community, and as the first African-American to retire from the Kalamazoo Police Department, having done so in 1976.

Sergeant Al Goodwin’s contributions to this community and the Kalamazoo Police Department were many. To list a few of Sergeant Goodwin’s initiatives that he specifically had his hands in the creation of and/or facilitation of:

Improvement to the Speakers Bureau –Sergeant Goodwin spoke to civic groups, as well as high school and college students, about the operations and limitations of the police.

Office of Community Relations – established in 1967, Sergeant Goodwin was tasked with handling the responsibilities therein. Under his leadership, the following programs were implemented:

1. Citizen Complaint Office
2. Citizen’s Watch Program
3. Ride-a-long Program
4. Youth Group
5. Summer Camp for Youth

Most of these initiatives still exist today which is a testimonial to Sergeant Goodwin’s impact and fingerprint on this organization some 40 years since he retired.

Personally I know this token of appreciation falls short of adequately recognizing Sergeant Goodwin’s struggles, experience and most importantly dedicated Public Service to the City of Kalamazoo. However it is well deserved and long overdue! Congratulations to you, Mrs. Goodwin and best wishes to you and your family from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.

Sincerely,

Chief Jeffrey M. Hadley

Date: February 1, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Chief Jeff Hadley, (269) 337-8123

Officers extinguish fire at condemned residence on N Church St

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Kalamazoo, MI: On Sunday, January 31st, 2016, at approximately 2:02 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to a residential structure fire in the 1000 block of N. Church Street. Upon arrival, officers encountered fire on the first and second floor of home. Officers entered the structure and were able to extinguish the fire. Officers were on scene for approximately two hours conducting fire suppression and overhaul operations. The home was vacant and recently condemned. There are no reported injuries. The Kalamazoo Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Matt Huber

Date: January 31st, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain James Mallery, Operations Division, 337-8142

Firearm recovered, juvenile arrested after canine track

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Kalamazoo, MI: On Monday January 18th, 2016, at approximately 5:15pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety was dispatched to the 600 block of W. Ransom on a report of an assault where the suspect had fired a round as he left the residence. Officers made contact with the victim, a 19 year old Kalamazoo resident, who told officers she had gotten into an argument with an acquaintance. During the argument, the male acquaintance pointed a handgun at the victim, and upon leaving the residence, fired a shot. No one was injured in the incident.

Public Safety officers tracked the suspect with a K-9 to a residence several blocks away. The 16 year old suspect was located inside the residence as was a stolen handgun. The suspect was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home on charges of Felonious Assault, Felony Firearm, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The handgun had been stolen out of Coldwater, MI.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Brad Misner

Three young males arrested after all night crime spree

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Three young males arrested after all night crime spreeKalamazoo, MI: On Saturday, January 9, 2016, at approximately 12:15 pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety received a 911 call reporting that a young male was carrying a pistol as he walked along Kings Highway; this initial 911 call sparked a lengthy investigation that concluded with the arrest of three young males on a gamut of felony charges. The below news release is lengthy but depicts what occurred over the span of a twelve hour period.

The initial 911 caller reported seeing five young males walking along King Highway near the Red Arrow Golf Course; one was clearly caring a black hang gun. Officers had already been dealing with a rash of vehicle break-ins, property destruction, and vandalism in several areas of the city. Vehicle windows had been broken, cars had been broken into, people had been shot….all initially looked to be the act of one or more people using BB guns to raise havoc. Several officers set up a perimeter around the golf course area (Mills, King Hwy, River area) and observed from a distance. Officers confirmed that at least one of the subjects was armed a black hand gun. The males appeared to be in their young teens. Five were walking together. The group began running from the officers. As they ran handguns could be seen being thrown; two onto dry ground and one into the Kalamazoo River. All five suspects were captured, detained, and a lengthy investigation ensued. Two BB pistols were recovered as was stolen property.

Ten officers from Kalamazoo Public Safety, in coordination with Kalamazoo Sheriffs Deputies and Kalamazoo Township Officers determined the following: The three teenage males stole three CO2 powered, semi-auto, BB pistols from a retail store on Gull Road around mid-night. They then drove around the Kalamazoo area shooting out vehicle windows, shooting at homes, shooting at people, only pausing at times to steal items from cars. The suspects fired from out of the moving vehicle’s open windows and the open sun roof. At this time officers have linked the three suspects to over 45 cases. No people were significantly injured from the flying BBs but property damage is in the thousands of dollars.

The group’s instigator, a 13 yr old Kalamazoo resident, was just released from the juvenile home on January 8th for similar crimes. The second suspect is a 15 yr old Kalamazoo resident and the third is a 17 yr old Three Rivers resident. The three were driving around in the 13 yr olds family vehicle.

Kalamazoo Public Safety reminds the community to say something if you see something. 45 felony cases were solved and further damage was prevented because someone took the time to call 911.

Anyone who may have information regarding this incident, or information regarding other crimes, is asked to contact Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Stacey Geik

Date: January 9, 2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Vic Ledbetter, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

Officers seize drugs, arrest three suspects in 500 block of Florence St

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Kalamazoo, MI: On January 7th, investigators from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and officers from the Kalamazoo Metro SWAT Team executed two search warrants and three arrest warrants in the 500 block of Florence St. KVET investigators had conducted a two month long investigation into the area in response to countless citizen complaints of drug trafficking and violence in the area. During this investigation, several suspects were identified and arrest warrants were obtained for them.

During a search of these locations, investigators located crack cocaine packaged for sale, a large amount of marijuana, ammunition, evidence of discharging firearms and additional items used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics. While at these locations, investigators were able to locate and arrest three suspects on felony drug warrants. A 41 year old female was arrested on a warrant for Delivery and Manufacturing of Crack Cocaine. A 21 year old male and a 25 year old male were also arrested for Delivery and Manufacturing of Crack Cocaine. All suspects are Kalamazoo residents and were lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail. The City of Kalamazoo Housing Department also responded to the scene and condemned both locations due to hazardous conditions.

KVET investigators will continue to address drug activity in the area and will continue to search for additional suspects.

Anyone with information regarding illegal drugs or firearms activity is urged to contact KVET at 269-337-8880, or report an anonymous tip to Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Sergeant Matt Schemenauer

Date: 1/8/2016
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Capt. David Boysen, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team, 269-337-8880

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150 E Crosstown Pkwy, Suite A
Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Emergency: 9-1-1
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General Information: (269) 337-8120

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