FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 17, 2021                                                                          

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

KDPS stepping up speed enforcement during regional traffic safety campaign June 19-27 Regional campaign designed to reduce troubling increase in speed-related crashes

Kalamazoo, Mich. — Since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than a year ago, law enforcement agencies across the nation have reported an alarming rise in speeding, crashes, and related complaints.

To combat this disturbing and dangerous trend, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Region 5 Office are partnering with five other states on a regional traffic safety campaign. As part of the “Great Lakes, High Stakes” campaign, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety along with more than 30 municipal, county and Michigan State Police (MSP), law enforcement agencies will focus on speeding drivers between June 19 and 27, 2021.

Nationally in 2019, 9,478 traffic fatalities involved crashes in which one or more drivers were speeding.

“While the pandemic caused a drop in overall traffic miles driven, nationally, the number of fatal crashes increased — and data shows speeding was a major factor in many of these tragic crashes,” said Chief Vernon Coakley of KDPS. “During the “Great Lakes, High Stakes” campaign, we will be working with our fellow law enforcement agencies across the state to ensure the message gets out to drivers that speeding will not be tolerated on our roadways.”

While Michigan has seen a 22-percent reduction in traffic crashes — 245,432 in 2020 compared to 314,377 in 2019 — there has been an increase in fatalities. Crash data from the MSP Criminal Justice Information Center indicates 1,083 people died from crashes on Michigan roads in 2020, a 10-percent increase over 2019, with 985 deaths reported. In 2020, there were 200 speed-related fatalities on Michigan roadways compared to 185 in 2019, an 8-percent increase.

Also in Michigan, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), in 2020:

■ Out of male drivers involved in all traffic crashes in 2020, 6.4 percent were speeding.

■ 15.2 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

■ 11.2 percent of drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in crashes (4,650 out of 41,685) were speeding.

■ Out of all drivers who were drinking and crashed, 15.1 percent were speeding.

Recent insurance industry studies show that about 112,000 speeding tickets are issued each day, or about 41 million per year. The average fine for a speeding violation is between $115-$135.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 4, 2021 Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesr@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

KDPS seizes 7 illegal guns in 24 hours

Guns, other contraband seized in five separate incidents

Kalamazoo, Mich. – The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) announced today it had seized seven illegal guns from the streets of Kalamazoo in less than 24 hours. The firearms and other contraband were recovered during five separate incidents, all happening on Wednesday, June 2.

This large, one-day haul followed a busy April and May when 48 and 58 guns were seized, respectively.

Below you will find details of the incidents that resulted in seven seizures on June 2, 2021:

Alamo Drive

KDPS officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Alamo Dr. in response to a subject in possession of a handgun while experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers arrived in the area and contacted the subject, who was armed with a handgun. Officers were able to speak with the subject, who turned the weapon over to officers. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Felony weapons charges will be sought against the suspect. 

 Winton Avenue

KDPS officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of Winton in reference to a male striking a female in the head with a handgun. The suspect fled the scene prior to officers arriving. Officers flooded the area and quickly located and arrested the suspect. Upon searching the area, officers located the suspect’s bag, containing the firearm used during the assault. The suspect was arrested for several felonies including Felonious Assault, Resisting Arrest, CCW and Felon in Possession of a firearm. 

Westnedge and Frank

Officers were addressing citizen complaints of narcotics trafficking in the area of N Westnedge Ave and Frank St when they witnessed a hand – to – hand sale of narcotics from a vehicle. Officers contacted the occupant and quickly located two loaded handguns in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle also revealed large amounts of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and additional evidence of narcotics sales. The suspect was arrested for several felony charges related to possessing the firearms and narcotics trafficking. 

Harrison and Ransom

KDPS officers conducted a traffic stop on Harrison St. near Ransom St. During the investigation it was determined that the same vehicle had been used in a recent armed robbery. Officers arrested the 16-year-old driver for an active warrant. During a search of the vehicle, officers located two handguns and a large amount of crack cocaine. Based on the investigation, the 16-year-old driver and a backseat passenger were arrested and charged with CCW and Possession with the Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine. 

Woodbury and Florence

Officers from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team and the Crime Reduction Team were in the area of Woodbury St and Florence St in reference to a recent increase of gun violence in the area. Officers observed a subject known to be involved in a recent shooting. The subject was also on parole for a robbery charge. Upon contacting the subject, officers discovered that he was armed with a loaded handgun. The subject was arrested for violating his conditions of parole, CCW, and Felon in Possession of a firearm. 

Anyone with information related to gun violence or gun related crimes in Kalamazoo is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety or the silent observer at 269-343-2100.

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