Omni Credit Union Robbery

May 7, 2019 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On May 7th, 2019, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to the 1600 block of E. Cork St, Omni Credit Union, on a report of a Robbery in progress. The employees advised an unknown female, possibly in her forties, entered the bank at approximately 2pm, demanding money from the teller.

The suspect was wearing a dark colored zip up coat, dark glasses, surgical mask, brown stocking cap, and gloves. The suspect implied she had a gun, and demanded money from the teller. A small amount of cash was turned over to the suspect. The suspect left on foot a short time after entering the business. A canine from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist with the track.

No injuries were reported during this robbery. An unknown amount of cash was taken. The suspect is still being sought by authorities.

Kalamazoo Public Safety Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, Forensic Lab, and Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office are working in conjunction with the FBI in attempts to identify the suspects in this case. Attached are photos showing the suspect inside the bank during the robbery.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-488-9111, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

By authority of: Captain Brad Misner

Date: May 7th, 2019
Address: 150 East Crosstown Parkway, Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

KDPS Joins ‘Neighbors’ by Ring to Provide Users with Real-Time, Local Crime and Safety Information

April 30, 2019 by Spencer Bridges

Neighbors aims to reduce crime in neighborhoods by connecting people, security cameras and law enforcement.

Kalamazoo, MI — The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety today announced that it is joining the free Neighbors app by Ring to provide the City of Kalamazoo community with real-time, local crime and safety information. The Neighbors network already has millions of users and has been instrumental in catching package thieves, stopping burglaries, and keeping neighborhoods safe.

Residents can text ‘StaySafe’ to 555888 from their smartphone to download the Neighbors app for free on iOS and Android and use the app to; join their neighborhood, share crime and safety-related videos, photos and text-based posts; and receive real-time safety alerts from their neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team.

Karianne Thomas, Chief of Kalamazoo Public Safety, said: “This is yet one more example of collaboration with the community, to make Kalamazoo safer. We hope that with this community involvement, KDPS can be even more effective at solving and preventing crimes from occurring.”

Jamie Siminoff, Chief Inventor and Founder of Ring, said: “We’re excited to have KDPS join Neighbors to keep their community up-to-date on local crime and safety information. Over the past few years we have learned that, when neighbors, the Ring team and law enforcement all work together, we can create safer communities. Neighbors is meant to facilitate real-time communication between these groups, while maintaining neighbor privacy first and foremost. By bringing security to every neighbor with the free Neighbors app, the Kalamazoo community can stay on top of crime and safety alerts as they happen.”

How It Works

Download the Neighbors app on iOS and Android here: download.ring.com/neighbors or by texting ‘StaySafe’ to 555888 from your smartphone.
Opt-in to join your neighborhood.
Customize the geographic area you want to receive notifications for (users must verify where they are located and cannot participate in other neighborhoods).
Receive real-time alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team that inform of crime and safety alerts as they happen.
View local crime and safety posts via a live feed or interactive map.
Share text updates, photos and videos taken on any device, including Ring’s home security devices.
Work with your community to make neighborhoods safer.

About Neighbors

Neighbors is a neighborhood watch app that provides real-time, local crime and safety information. Download the free Neighbors app (iOS/Android), join your neighborhood, and use the app to: view neighborhood activity; share crime and safety-related videos, photos and text-based posts; and receive real-time safety alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team. For more information visit www.ring.com/neighbors.

About Ring

Ring’s mission is to reduce crime in neighborhoods by creating a Ring of Security around homes and communities. Ring is an Amazon company. The Ring product line, along with Neighborsby Ring, enable Ring to offer affordable, whole-home and neighborhood security devices and services. In fact, one Los Angeles neighborhood saw a 55 percent decrease in home break-ins after Ring Doorbells were installed on just ten percent of homes. For more information, visit www.ring.com. With Ring, you’re always home.

Neighbors Media Contact
Kaleigh Bueckert-Orme
Public Relations Coordinator, Ring
Media@ring.com

By authority of: Lt Danielle Guilds

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

Fatal Shooting Investigation Arrest

April 4, 2019 by Spencer Bridges

On April 7, 2018 at approximately 4:00 am, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of N Burdick regarding the report of a shooting.

Responding Officers arrived and located one victim who appeared to have been struck by gunfire. The victim, Terrance Jaleel Swinney, a 26 year old Kalamazoo resident was rushed to a local hospital, however was later pronounced dead after succumbing to his injuries.

On April 3rd, 2019, Kalamazoo Public Safety Detective Joe Paul swore to a two count warrant for Open Murder and Felony Firearm issued for Johnnie Williams-Hopkins. Williams-Hopkins is a 29 year old Portage resident. Williams-Hopkins is currently being held at the Kalamazoo County Jail. Williams-Hopkins was arraigned today in 8th District Court on the charges listed.

This case has been a year-long investigation for Kalamazoo Public Safety. It is a culmination of hard work by many that will hopefully bring closure to the Swinney family. Kalamazoo Public Safety would like to pass along the condolences to the Swinney family.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8139 or Silent Observer at 343-2100.

Authority: Captain Brad Misner

Date: April 4th, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139

Bank Robbed by Lone Suspect

March 25, 2019 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: On March 25th, 2019, Kalamazoo Public Safety responded to the 3200 block of Portage Rd, Old National Bank, on a report of a Robbery in progress. The employees advised an African American male, in his late 40’s early 50’s, entered the bank at approximately 1326, demanding money from the teller.

The suspect was wearing a black hooded zip up jacket, dark colored pants and shoes, and light colored ball cap. A gun was not seen, but he insinuated he had a gun. He fled the bank on foot after grabbing an undisclosed amount of cash from the teller.

Officers arrived on scene shortly after the 911 call. A witness watched as a black male ran around the east end of the bank, through the parking lot, heading south and out of sight. Another witness observed the suspect jump into a small passenger vehicle, missing a front passenger hubcap on Howland Ave. The vehicle left west down Howland Ave, then north on Portage Rd.

Kalamazoo Public Safety Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division, and Forensic Lab are working in conjunction with the FBI in attempts to identify the suspects in this case. Attached are photos showing the suspect inside the bank during the robbery.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-488-8911, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

By authority of: Captain Brad Misner

Date: March 25th, 2019
Address: 150 East Crosstown Parkway, Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

Reckless Gunfire Almost Strikes Child

March 13, 2019 by Spencer Bridges

Kalamazoo, MI: Shortly after 10:00 pm on March 12, 2019, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were dispatched on a report of several shots fired in the area of W North St and Douglas Ave in the City of Kalamazoo. The first responding Public Safety Officer checked a business parking lot in the 700-block of Douglas and located a male who stated that his vehicle had been struck by gunfire.

During this investigation it was learned that the male’s 12-year-old grandchild was seated in the vehicle during the time the shots were fired. The bullet that penetrated the vehicle was less than a foot from where the child had been sitting. Thankfully, no one was injured in this incident.

According to witness statements, the shooter was described as an average build black male wearing a black hoodie and a black ball cap. A K9 track was attempted; however, a suspect was not located.

Several pieces of evidence were collected by a Crime Lab Technician on scene.

Anyone having information regarding this incident, or any other crime in Kalamazoo, is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-337-8120 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

By authority of: Sgt. Brian Cake