On July 18, 2021 at 6:44 a.m., KDPS officers responded to a residence in the 1000-block of S Rose St on a report of a shooting. Minutes later, a 21-year-old male arrived at a local hospital with a life-threatening gunshot wound. The suspect, a 25-year-old Kalamazoo resident, was located a short time later and taken into custody. He was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on multiple charges, including assault with intent to murder.

The victim is currently hospitalized in critical condition.

Anyone having information regarding this incident of gun violence is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at (269) 488-8911 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.

By authority of: Sgt. Chuck Mason

Date: Sunday, July 18, 2021

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

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

Kalamazoo, MI: On 7-17-2021 at approximately 08:30am Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 4300blk of S. Westnedge at Discount Tire after employees had located a suspicious suitcase that had a wire sticking out of it behind the business. Upon inspecting the bag, a suspicious object inside with wires sticking out of it was observed. The Kalamazoo Public Safety Bomb Squad responded and determined the object was not an explosive and not a danger to the public.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Operations Division at (269) 337-8150 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.


By authority of: Sgt. Doug Hubbell

Date: 7-17-2021

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

Contact: Captain Matt Elzinga, 337-8367

Kalamazoo, Michigan: On Friday, May 21, 2021, at approximately 9:15 p.m. Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers were sent to the area of Church/Paterson regarding a large party and crowd of people.

Public Safety Officers addressed a crowd upwards of 600 people and over 100 cars gridlocking area streets. Several fights broke out during the course of the unapproved party as well as several shots fired calls. Three firearms were recovered, two of the firearms had fallen out into the street after fights. Also recovered were random loaded magazines and live ammunition scattered throughout the streets.

For more than 7 hours, officers were solely addressing issues associated with the large crowd and party.

An 18-year-old Kalamazoo resident was arrested for Carrying a Concealed Weapon as well as other charges. He was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail.

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:
Lt. Gretchen Mayo

Date: May 21, 2021

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

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

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

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