Date:  Friday, January 1, 2021

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

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

Kalamazoo, Michigan:

On Friday, January 1, 2021, at approximately 2:56 am, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 700 block of N Park St for a report of a car vs. pedestrian crash.  Upon officer’s arrival, a female was found in the roadway suffering from life threatening injuries.  Lifesaving efforts were made, and the pedestrian was transported to a local hospital and is listed in serious condition.      

The involved vehicle in the crash left the scene and has not been located.  N Park St, also referred to as Business Loop 131, will be closed for several hours while the crash is investigated.

The Criminal Investigation Division is investigating 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 343-2100

By authority of: 

Lt. Scott Miller

Date:  Friday, January 1, 2021

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

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

Two People Shot While in a Vehicle

Kalamazoo, Michigan:

On Friday, January 1, 2021, at approximately 2:12 am, Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to the 400 block of Bellevue Pl for a report of two people shot inside a vehicle.  Upon officer’s arrival, they located the scene of the shooting but no victims.    

A short time later two victims arrived at a local hospital suffering from gunshot wounds related to this incident.  A 39-year-old Kalamazoo resident and a 21-year-old Kalamazoo resident were suffering from non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.  

The Criminal Investigation Division is investigating 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 343-2100

By authority of: 

Lt. Scott Miller

Date: Thursday, December 31, 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 Thursday, December 31, 2020 at approximately 1:00 p.m., officers with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety were dispatched to the report of gunfire in the 1900 block of South Burdick Street.  Witnesses reported a detailed description of a vehicle and the suspect involved as officers were converging on the area.

A public safety officer responding to the call intercepted the described vehicle.  When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the operator fled. The vehicle was soon after abandoned by the suspect as they fled on foot.  Public safety officers gave chase, and the suspect was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.

No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.

The suspect involved was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail regarding multiple felony charges including weapons offenses, fleeing eluding and resisting arrest.

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

Date:  December 31, 2020

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

Contact:  Captain Matt Elzinga, Operations Division, 337-8140

PRESS RELEASE

Kalamazoo, MI

Vehicle Crashes Into Building

On December 30th, 2020, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a building in the 200 blk of East Michigan Ave. 

Responding officers located a single motor vehicle that had lost control, left the roadway, and struck a build. At the time of the accident the building closed for business and unoccupied.

Officers checked the welfare of the driver who sustained minor injuries. Medical care was provided by on scene paramedics.

The driver of the vehicle, a 21-year-old Kalamazoo resident, remained on scene. Alcohol appears to be a factor and as a result of the investigation the driver was arrested and lodged at Kalamazoo County Sheriff Office on an alcohol related driving offense.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100

By authority of: 

Lt. David Juday

#####

Date:               December 30, 2020

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

Contact:           Fire Marshal Scott Brooks, 337-8260

Winter Holiday Safety

Kalamazoo, MI:  Kalamazoo Public Safety would like to remind residents and visitors of the City of Kalamazoo that incorporating a few basic safety steps can provide for a safe and enjoyable holiday as well as help prevent an unnecessary injury or fire.  Additionally, the City of Kalamazoo has adopted rules and regulations relative to when and where consumer fireworks can be used.

Electric Heater and Food Warmer Safety:

• Keep anything that could catch on fire at least 3 feet away from portable space heaters and hotplates.
• Create a three-foot “kid-free zone” around space heaters and the cooking area.
• Never leave portable space heaters or hotplates unattended while in use.
• Turn off hotplates and warmers when not in use.
• Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or when you’re going to sleep.

KDPS also reminds everyone to make sure their homes are fully equipped with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, noting that smoke alarms do not detect carbon monoxide (CO).

Risks of private fireworks use:

According to the National Fire Protection Association (based on 2018 data), the risk of fire death relative to hours of usage is higher for fireworks than for cigarettes, making fireworks the riskiest consumer product.

• The risks associated with fireworks are not limited to displays, public or private. Risks also exist wherever fireworks are manufactured, transported, stored or sold.
• “Safe and sane” fireworks are neither. Fountains, novelties, and sparklers are designed to throw off showers of hot sparks. Temperatures may exceed 1200°F.
• An estimated 11,100 injuries were treated in U.S hospitals and emergency rooms due to firework related injuries.   

Small fireworks, like bottle rockets, sparklers, and small firecrackers can appear harmless to children, but all fireworks have the potential to be dangerous. In the thirty days surrounding the July 4th holiday, fireworks have shown to injure approximately 2,400 children under the age of 14; however, this only accounts for one-fourth of the injuries reported yearly due to fireworks. A lot of injuries also occur around New Year celebrations as well.

If you do decide to buy fireworks, be sure to take the following safety steps:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging; often, this can be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
• Move away to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not gone off or fully functioned.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light one item at a time and then move away quickly.
• After fireworks have gone off and fully functioned, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Further information can be obtained at: www.fireworksafety.com  and http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/holidays/fireworks

 

City of Kalamazoo Code of Ordinances:

§ 15-30. Consumer fireworks prohibitions.

A.    A person shall not ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks except during permitted hours on the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday.

• No person shall ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks between the hours of 12 midnight and 8:00 a.m. of the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday, except that on New Year’s Day, no person shall ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
  • No person shall ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks on public property, school property, church property or the property of another person without that organization’s or person’s express permission to use consumer fireworks on those premises.
  • Consumer fireworks shall not be sold to a minor.

§ 15-31. General noise prohibition.

The ignition, discharge or use of consumer fireworks shall be subject to the general prohibition contained at § 21-6 of the Kalamazoo City Code, which addresses continued excessive or unusually loud noise, measured or unmeasured, which disrupts, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of any person within the limits of the City.

§ 15-32. Penalties.

A person who violates this article is responsible for a municipal civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $500.

By authority of: Fire Marshal Scott Brooks