On September 14th, 2019 at approximately 5:05 pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to Spring Valley Park at 2606 Mt. Olivet regarding a juvenile struggling to remain afloat in the lake. KCCA Dispatchers received multiple calls reporting the juvenile was calling for help and stating he could not breathe. When officers arrived on scene they observed the juvenile in the lake approximately 100 yards from shore and struggling to remain afloat. A bystander had entered the water in an effort to save the juvenile but was overcome with exhaustion upon reaching the juvenile and was unable to provide further aid.

Sgt. Deblecourt of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, a veteran police officer who is trained in water rescue, entered the water and swam out to the juvenile and bystander. Sgt. Deblecourt was able to support both subjects in the water until additional officers arrived to assist. Officers worked in concert to bring each of the subjects to shore and render medical aid.

Officers later learned that the juvenile had entered the water in an effort to rescue his dog who he believed had been in distress while swimming in the lake. The juvenile, bystander, and dog were all treated and released from the scene after a medical evaluation and consultation by emergency medical personnel.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at488-8911, Silent Observer at 343-2100 or report online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety would like to remind swimmers to exercise caution when swimming in large bodies of water, swim with a buddy, remain close to shore, and continuously evaluate your level of exhaustion while swimming in deep waters.

By authority of: Sgt. Bryan Martin

Date: Sunday, September 15, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Huber, Operations Division, 269-337-8120

Kalamazoo, MI: On Friday, August 24, 2019 at approximately 1142 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to N. Westnedge Ave/ Florence in reference to a verbal argument. Once officers arrived, witnesses reported several gunshots in the area. During the course of this investigation 2 gunshot victims were located nearby. A third victim was transported by citizen to a local hospital for treatment. One victim is a 21 year old male, Kalamazoo resident. The second victim is a 39 year old female, Kalamazoo resident. The third victim is a 40 year old male, Kalamazoo resident. All three victims are in stable condition.

All involved victims and several witnesses were interviewed however limited suspect information was provided. The suspect was described as a tall and skinny black male. After the shooting the suspect was observed fleeing the scene in a dark colored older sedan. The vehicle was last observed east on Florence.

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

By authority of: Sgt. Ryan Preston