Kalamazoo, MI: On Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at approximately 7:53 PM an individual was struck by a vehicle while in the roadway near the intersection of Drake Rd and Stonebrooke St. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers responded and rendered aid. The victim, an 18-year-old male Kalamazoo resident, was transported to Bronson Methodist Hospital and is currently in stable condition. The involved vehicle fled the scene. Witnesses reported the vehicle description as a dark-color pickup truck with possible front-end damage. The suspect vehicle has not been located at this time.

Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to call Kalamazoo Public Safety at 269-488-8911 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Sgt. Richard McCall

Date: January 15, 2020
Address: 150 East Crosstown Parkway, Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Matthew Huber, Operations Division, 269-337-8142

Kalamazoo, MI: On December 28, 2019, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers were dispatched to the 1000-block of N. Rose St. for the report of a robbery. The victim provided officers with a description of the suspect. PSO Pittelkow and her K9, Nero, responded to the scene and conducted a track, eventually locating the suspect several houses away attempting to conceal evidence. The suspect was taken into custody without incident, and the victim’s stolen property was recovered. The victim was not injured during the robbery.

The suspect, a 42-year-old Kalamazoo resident, was arrested for unarmed robbery and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail.

Kalamazoo Public Safety encourages anyone with information regarding this incident or other criminal activity to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-488-8911 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

By authority of: Sergeant Andrew Werkema

Date: December 28, 2019

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

Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

Joint Press Release from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, the Kalamazoo Township Police Department, the Portage Department of Public Safety and Kalamazoo Public Schools

UPDATE – School Threat

Kalamazoo, MI:

Over the past 48 hours, multiple schools within Kalamazoo County have received various threats of violence. These acts have resulted in school closures and disruption in school operations and activities. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, Kalamazoo Township Police Department, Portage Department of Public Safety-Police Division, and the Michigan State Police, in cooperation with Kalamazoo Public Schools, have been diligently investigating the various threats.

A 14-year-old Kalamazoo resident has been identified as the suspect from the original posting. Investigators determined that this threat was not credible. Unfortunately, the original incident resulted in multiple copycat threats throughout the region.

The youth was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home. The case will be presented to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The investigation is on-going and additional suspects are being identified.

In the State of Michigan, the crime of posting a terrorist threat, regardless of the intent or the capability of committing the act, is a felony punishable by imprisonment up to 20 years or a fine of not more than $20,000 or both.

Parents are asked to talk with their students about this serious matter. Joking about a threat or copying a threat that was posted elsewhere is just as serious as a credible threat. Students should remember that if they “see something, say something.” KPS and law enforcement partners consider the safety of students and staff its top priority.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100, www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Chief Karianne Thomas Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

School Threat

Kalamazoo, MI: Last evening there were four separate threats posted on social media to cause harm at Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo Central High School, Hillside Middle School, and Linden Grove Middle School. Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) immediately contacted local law enforcement. In an abundance of caution, KPS elected to cancel classes today at the four schools.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and the Kalamazoo Township Police Department are working in collaboration with Michigan State Police to determine the origin of the threats. The investigation continues and those involved could be held criminally responsible in addition to school consequences. At this time, the threats have not been deemed credible. Anyone with information about these threats is encouraged to contact law enforcement.

KPS will continue to monitor this matter and update parents when additional information becomes available. There will be an additional police presence at Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo Central High School, Hillside Middle School, and Linden Grove Middle School as well as throughout the Kalamazoo Public School district tomorrow.

Parents are asked to talk with their students about this serious matter. Joking about a threat or copying a threat that was posted elsewhere is just as serious as a credible threat. Students should remember that if they “see something, say something.” KPS and law enforcement partners consider the safety of students and staff its top priority.

Anyone information on the incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety at 337- 8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100, www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Chief Karianne Thomas Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

Date:               November 12, 2019

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

Contact:          Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139

Kalamazoo, MI: On Thursday, October 18, 2019, at 1:57 a.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 1400-block of Lafayette Ave for the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. Four suspects exited a vehicle and stole personal property from two male victims walking in the area. The suspects then returned to their vehicle and drove off northbound on Lafayette Ave. One of the victims sustained minor injuries during the incident that did not require medical treatment.

The suspects were described as four light-skinned black or Hispanic males in their late teens or early twenties. One of the males displayed a handgun tucked in the waistband of his pants. The vehicle was described as a dark red Ford Fusion.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-488-8911, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com

By authority of: Lieutenant Michael Skurski

Kalamazoo MI: On Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at approximately 3:09 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to the intersection of Parkview Avenue and Wood Street for the report of a crash involving a motorcycle and a car. Upon arrival, officers found the car had fled the scene of the crash.

The driver of the motorcycle was transported to Bronson Hospital, and is listed in critical condition. A passenger of the motorcycle was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

A witness described the hit-and-run vehicle as a black Honda SUV with tinted windows.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 269-488-8911, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Authority of: Sergeant Kyle Vosburg

Date: September 25, 2019

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

Contact: Captain Brad Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8139