FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 8, 2021
Contact: Ryan Bridges, bridgesr@kalamazoocity.org, 269-762-2922

Kalamazoo, Mich. – Officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) responded to the 1200 block of N. Church Street to investigate the report of felonious assault where a firearm was pointed at the reporting victims on the evening of Wednesday, April 7,2021. 

When officers arrived they located the suspected vehicle that was occupied with persons of interest related to the assault.  During the investigation, one of the occupants was ordered out of the vehicle. As they stepped out of the vehicle, the officers conducted a search of the individuals.

During this search, a firearm was found and the subject began actively fighting with officers.  Additional officers were requested to the scene to help safely detain the individual suspected of the felonious assault.  The first subject, a 15-year-old Kalamazoo resident, sustained only minor injuries and was arrested on multiple felony charges.

After the first subject was apprehended, a second subject from the vehicle also began fighting with officers. This second subject was arrested without any injuries on felony charges stemming from the investigation.

While being transported, the juvenile suspect complained of the tightness of the handcuffs and, within sound judgement and within policy, the officer stopped to check/adjust the handcuffs as needed to prevent any potential injury.  While adjusting the handcuffs, the subject tried to escape police custody by pushing past the officer and later biting the officer multiple times on her head. The officer was able to secure the juvenile back in the vehicle without further injury and continued the transport to the hospital for a medical evaluation from the original incident.

A subsequent search of the vehicle on Church Street located a second handgun related to the original felonious assault complaint.  In total, 3 Kalamazoo residents were arrested on numerous felony charges and 2 firearms recovered. 

“At the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, we are committed to providing fair and impartial treatment to citizens during every encounter – including during investigations – and treating everyone involved with dignity and respect,” said Vernon Coakley, Chief of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.  Body camera and vehicle dash camera footage from this incident as well as police reports are being reviewed to add clarity to the actualities about what happened in this situation.  Furthermore, we will be working with the prosecutor as to when we can release captured video footage, so our community has the facts.”

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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

Date: February 9, 2021

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

Contact: KDPS Criminal Investigation Division 269-337-8139

Kalamazoo, MI:

On 2/9/2021 at approximately 11:15am, Public Safety Officers responded to the 1300 block of California for a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, Officers located a 45-year-old male suffering from a non-life-threatening stab wound to his chest. The male advised officers that he sustained the injury after a family member threw two knives at him. One of the knives struck him in the chest while the second knife missed him.

The suspect, a 14-year-old male from Kalamazoo, left the address on foot prior to officer’s arrival but was located a short distance away. The suspect was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home on the charge of felonious assault.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8120 or Silent Observer at 343-2100

By authority of:

Sgt. M. Ferguson #12557

Date: 1/1/2021

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

Contact: Captain Craig Habel, Criminal Investigations Division, 269-337-8136

On January 1st, 2021 at approximately 4:02 pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to the 1300 block of Fox Ridge Drive regarding a report of a shots fired inside a building. First arriving officers located a 21 year old man suffering from gunshot wounds. KDPS officers provided aid to the man, but he succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives responded to the scene, and are currently investigating the incident. As of this time, no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt. Robert Holdwick

Date: Friday, December 18, 2020

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

Contact:  Captain Craig Habel, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 337-8139 

Kalamazoo, Michigan:

On Friday, December 18, 2020 at approximately 1:45 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the 1300 block of Fox Ridge Drive.  Detailed descriptions were given of involved people and vehicles by witnesses in the area.

Officers responding intercepted an involved vehicle that had been struck by gunfire.  The vehicle was stopped.  The occupant was discovered to be hastily leaving the area after their vehicle was struck by gunfire.  The operator also had with them a four-month-old child.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this event.

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

Authority:

Lieutenant Charles Treppa