Date:  5/15/19

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

Contact:  Captain Matt Huber, KDPS Operations 

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Battles Church Fire

Kalamazoo, MI: 

On May 15, 2019, at approximately 1:30 pm Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers were dispatched to the report of a fire in the 400 block of Phelps Avenue.  The plume of smoke from the fire could be seen across the Kalamazoo Valley.  Officers arrived and advised that there was heavy smoke and flames showing from the church building.  Within minutes, the roof of the building collapsed, as well as some of the cinderblock walls.

A total of 25 public safety officers with 4 different fire apparatus battled the fire for approximately 4 hours. Heavy equipment also had to be brought in to access hot spots within the remains of the building. Unfortunately, the building and contents are a total loss.  A neighboring house also had extensive damage to its siding from the extreme heat of the fire. 

Fortunately the building was empty at the time of fire, and no firefighters were injured during fire ground operations.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Fire Marshal’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. Anyone with information on 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.

By authority of: Lt. Timothy Loso

#####

Kalamazoo, MI:
On May 14th 2019, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety received a report of a raccoon that was trapped on the exterior third floor of a downtown building in the 200 block of E Michigan. Officers from the Kalamazoo County Animal Control were on scene and requested the assistance of Kalamazoo Public Safety to assist in the rescue.

Due to the location of the building and the current downtown construction, portions of E. Michigan had to be reduced down to one lane for approximately 1 hour.

With the use of Ladder Truck 6, officers ascended to the location of the trapped raccoon. Diligent attempts were made to capture the raccoon safely into a net; however the raccoon had different intentions. The raccoon escaped the net and fell to the ground. The raccoon landed alive and was transported to Animal Control. The raccoon is reported alive and well and was released back into a much safer habitat.

Date: May 14, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Matt Huber, Operations Division, 337-8142

By authority of: Fire Lieutenant Kenneth Skibbe

Kalamazoo, MI

On Tuesday May 14, 2019 at 12:47pm a Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Sergeant located a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Vine St and S Westnedge Ave. A traffic stop was attempted, however, the vehicle fled. A brief vehicle pursuit ensued until the suspect vehicle crashed into another motorist. After the crash, the suspect vehicle continued to flee. Officers terminated the pursuit in order to render aid to the other motorist.

The stolen vehicle was later located, unoccupied, in the 700 block of Second St. The suspect was not located.

The suspect is a white male, approximately 20 years old with short dark colored hair and a trimmed beard.

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

Date: May 14th, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Misner, Criminal Investigations Division, 337-8139

By authority of: Sgt. David Moran

Kalamazoo, MI:
On Tuesday May 7th, 2019 at approximately 1:20pm, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to the 1500 block of N. Pitcher St. for a report of a warehouse fire at Graphics Packaging.

Public Safety Officers arrived on scene within minutes of the call and found fire coming from roof. Due to the size of the warehouse a second alarm was initiated to bring additional resources and manpower to the scene. Fire ground operations continued for over four hours until the fire could be fully extinguished. At this time there are no reported injuries to employees or firefighters. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s office.

Anyone with information on 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.

Date: May 7th, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Matthew Huber, Captain Operations Division, 337-8142

By authority of: Lt. Scott VanderEnde

#

Kalamazoo, MI:
On Tuesday May 7th, 2019 at approximately 4:45pm, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to the intersection of S. Westnedge Ave and South St. regarding a two vehicle crash with injuries.

Public Safety Officers responded and discovered that a power pole had also been struck and had taken down the traffic control device at the intersection. Three occupants of the involved vehicles were transported to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The investigation revealed that one of the vehicles drove through a red light and struck the second vehicle. The at-fault driver was cited on scene and released. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The S. Westnedge Ave and South Street intersection is closed until the light pole and traffic control device can be repaired. KDPS is requesting that vehicular and pedestrian traffic avoid the area.

A second press release will be released when the roadway is opened back up.

Anyone with information on 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.

Date: May 7th, 2019
Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Contact: Captain Matthew Huber, Captain Operations Division, 337-8142

By authority of: Lt. Scott VanderEnde