DEWITT TOWNSHIP POLICE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

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1 DEWITT TOWNSHIP POLICE 2016 ANNUAL REPORT CHIEF BRIAN RUSSELL LT. MARK NELSON

2 CHIEF BRIAN RUSSELL #740 I am grateful for the opportunity to present the 2016 Annual Report. These last 12 months have been challenging, rewarding, difficult at times, and have gone by extremely fast. I would like to commend all of our staff for their outstanding efforts, dedication to service and community, and the strength and unity they have displayed during some difficult times over the last year. We are truly blessed to live in an area that does not have many murders or robberies, and overall not a lot of Part One Index crimes. 1

LIEUTENANT MARK NELSON #741 Performs Professional Police Administration Plans & Co-Ordinates with the Chief Assists the Chief with the Budget Assigns and Supervises the Work of Police Personnel

3 LIEUTENANT MARK NELSON #741 Performs Professional Police Administration Plans & Co-Ordinates with the Chief Assists the Chief with the Budget Assigns and Supervises the Work of Police Personnel Assumes Command of the Police Department in Absence of the Chief of Police Training & Scheduling of Same Reviews, Recommends, and Enforces Rules & Regulations & Policy & Procedure Investigates alleged misconduct and conducts internal investigations. *The list of what he does goes on and on, and we are grateful for his service. 2

4 OFFICER STUMP SGT. JONES OFFICER CHRISTENSEN 3

5 OFFICER JOHNSON SGT. DARNELL OFFICER KOLKA & ARES 4

6 OFFICER BERNAT SGT. SMITH OFFICER SHELLBERG And PO Robbins, in the glass, reflecting the picture taker. 5

7 OFFICER RENNAKER OFFICER ROBBINS OFFICER GREENMAN 6

8 LISA DEB REGINA Secretaries are responsible for prompt customer service and to make sure that reports are sent to the Prosecutors Office, Township Attorney, Courts, Parole, Probation, Protective Services, etc. They also register sex offenders (SOR s below), vehicle releases, gun purchase permits, FOIA (freedom of information requests), billing, purchase orders, and so much more, well, one page isn't enough. Gun Permits are growing every year, the numbers below represent permits issued and entered. (FOIA) Freedom of Information Act Requests are continuing to increase and take up a lot of our time. They must be answered swiftly, correctly and with-in the law. PBT s are preliminary breath tests, most are court ordered and require a person to be tested once or twice a week randomly, or sometimes every day. If officers are all tied up on a weekend, a person would have to go to another agency for a test. YEAR GUN PERMITS FOIA PBT s SORS

Chaplain Chris Carter (Serving since March 2013) POLICE AND FIRE CHAPLAIN Chris Carter was appointed to serve the Police and Fire Departments and will assist with visitations of sick or injured

9 Chaplain Chris Carter (Serving since March 2013) POLICE AND FIRE CHAPLAIN Chris Carter was appointed to serve the Police and Fire Departments and will assist with visitations of sick or injured officers and firefighters, all department personnel and their families, assist officers with death notifications, provide support for crime victims, assist at/or with community disasters, be present at department functions, and other duties as assigned by the Police and/or Fire Chief. He is easy to talk to and a great listener. Chaplain Carter holds a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Education, a Master's Degree from Liberty Theological Seminary in Religion, is a certified counselor, and currently a Youth Pastor for the Northpointe Community Church in DeWitt. He continues training and education in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and training sessions for chaplains. 8

OFFICER KYLE KOLKA AND K9 "ARES" This team started training together in October 2013 and both graduated in December of 2013. "ARES" is a dual purpose dog and is trained to detect and protect.

10 OFFICER KYLE KOLKA AND K9 "ARES" This team started training together in October 2013 and both graduated in December of "ARES" is a dual purpose dog and is trained to detect and protect. He is trained for tracking, area searches, building searches, suspect apprehension, and handler protection. "ARES" is also a narcotics detection dog and is trained to detect marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines. YEAR NARCOTICS TRACKING OTHER DEMO- TOTAL PUBLIC Note-Other can be a variety of tasks such as K9 Presence Requested at Scene, Building Searches or Perimeter, Drug Sweeps at Schools, Searching for Missing or Lost Persons, etc. (K) 9

The driver of that vehicle was arrested on several warrants and had no business in the neighborhood.

11 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUPS DeWitt Township has several informal and a few formal Neighborhood Watch groups. In 2016 an alert resident and neighborhood watch participant called in a suspicious vehicle in June of The driver of that vehicle was arrested on several warrants and had no business in the neighborhood. When questioned, he stated he was looking for a painting job and refused to answer any more questions. "The Neighborhood Watch program is the most effective means available for keeping crime out of our neighborhoods. Not only are they extra eyes and ears for their neighbors and police, they care about the community as well participating in: Food Drives Thanksgiving Food Baskets Toys for Tots No Senior With-out a Christmas, etc. Ox-Roast I appreciate all their hard work and extra effort to make DeWitt a great community. NOTE- The Township continues to work with the Clinton County Road Commission to replace old neighborhood watch signs with new signs. 20 signs were replaced in 2013, 10 in 2014, 10 in 2015 and 5 in

In May of 2009 the DeWitt Township Police Department was informed that we would be eligible to receive a grant in the amount of $12,754.

12 In May of 2009 the DeWitt Township Police Department was informed that we would be eligible to receive a grant in the amount of $12, to be used in a community policing project or other worthwhile project subject to approval. The senior (non-confrontational) members would be used to enhance the quality of life for all township residents by assisting the police and fire departments with including but not limited to: Checking Township Owned Properties, Working Special Events, House Checks if Applicable, and other duties and functions as deemed necessary. I am proud of the work that the RSVP Members have done, and I hear great things about the group and the program. Earliest records show that the program really took off in June of 2010 and to date, the volunteers have logged over 4,500 hours. The group lost members in 2016 and for 2017 the department will make an effort to increase the membership. YEAR APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOV-DEC TOTAL

13 DEWITT TOWNSHIP POLICE DISPATCHED 911 CALLS This Page is Dedicated to the Clinton County Dispatchers in Appreciation and Recognition of Extraordinary Commitment to Public Safety and Service to the Community When Most Needed. Each Year, millions of people dial three lifesaving digits in moments of crisis: On any given day, the Clinton County 911 Dispatch Center can be flooded with calls requiring extraordinary attention and composure. Police, Fire, and EMS are sent to some pretty bad scenes through-out the year. Don't forget those 911 professionals who take the tragic, angry, confused, anxious, critical, and sometimes heart-breaking calls first. YEAR NUMBER OF CALLS CALLS CALLS 12

14 OFFICER INITIATED CALLS Officer Initiated calls are what officers find on routine patrol such as disabled vehicles, traffic stops, suspicious persons or vehicles, power lines or trees down, and much more. All calls are classified one way or another and these include but are not limited to: Refueling, business contacts, building checks, report writing, meal breaks, etc. And that is why these numbers have climbed in the last 3 years. YEAR SELF INITIATED CALLS CALLS

PART ONE INDEX CRIMES COMPARISON LAST 5 YEARS Serious Crimes are almost Non-Existent in DeWitt Township, but unfortunately we do get the occasional Murder or other Major Crime.

15 PART ONE INDEX CRIMES COMPARISON LAST 5 YEARS Serious Crimes are almost Non-Existent in DeWitt Township, but unfortunately we do get the occasional Murder or other Major Crime. Criminal sexual conducts rose considerably in 2015 and again in Aggravated Assaults were on the rise, and Larcenies went way up, several of those larcenies are retail frauds and the majority were apprehended and charged criminally. We are truly blessed to live in an area that does not have many murders or robberies, or part one crimes. CRIME MURDER ROBBERY CAR THEFT CSC AGG ASSAULT LARCENY ARSON CSC AGG Assault LARCENY ROBBERY UDAA

16 PART TWO CRIMES-A FIVE YEAR COMPARISON CRIME ASSAULTS-GEN FRAUD RUNAWAYS MDOP WEAPON OFF DOMESTIC VIO DRUG OFF OWI-OUID LIQOUR VIO DISORDERLY EMBEZZLEMENT ASSAULTS MDOP DRUGS DV

Detective Derreck Schaberg Major Crimes of 2016 JANUARY Police responded to the 1300 Block of State Road for a deceased person call. The husband had called 911 and reported that his wife was dead.

17 Detective Derreck Schaberg Major Crimes of 2016 JANUARY Police responded to the 1300 Block of State Road for a deceased person call. The husband had called 911 and reported that his wife was dead. When officers arrived, they discovered that the woman had been dead for several hours. The husbands story was not adding up and an autopsy was ordered and it was showed that the wife died of an overdose of pills and alcohol. Several months later the husband confessed that he delivered the drugs to his wife and was partially responsible for her death. He has since plead guilty to Delivery Causing Death and is serving time in jail. FEBRUARY The Sleep Inn reported that a male entered the lobby of the hotel with a gun and demanded money. The suspect fled to the parking lot and climbed into a vehicle and sped off. Video showed that the suspect was fairly well disguised. Officers checked the area but did not locate the vehicle or suspect. Photos were put out to the press and social media, but the suspect was not identified. The case remains open. MARCH LAFCU reported that a female has been forging and caching checks that belonged to a deceased woman. The investigation lead to the deceased woman s old neighbor. The suspect was located and admitted to stealing and forging the checks. The suspect stated she got into the deceased woman s mail, deposited the checks in the deceased woman s account and then 16

18 would withdraw it from an ATM using the woman s ATM card. (She obtained the password prior to the woman s death.) APRIL A resident in the Oakland Hills neighborhood reported missing jewelry from her home. She suspected someone from her cleaning service was involved. A check of pawn shop activity showed that one of the cleaning service employees did indeed steal and sell the victim s jewelry to Liberty Coin. The jewelry had already been melted down, but video of the stolen jewelry was enough to convict the suspect. The suspect had similar charges in Meridian Township and Ingham County. MAY In King Arthur s Court, two juvenile girls complained to their Mother that an unknown elderly male inappropriately touch their private area s while pushing them on a swing in the park. The Mom called the police. The suspect was located and identified, but denied any wrong doing. He agreed to take a polygraph and failed same. He later plead No Contest and is serving time. The new Taco Bell called and reported a subject in the drive thru lane was exposing himself to a young female employee. This same subject had done this previously at Taco Bell and Arby s. He was later located, charged, and convicted of the crime. JUNE The Twin Brook Apartments reported a crime in progress and advised that a male subject had broken into their laundry machine and stolen money. Officers arrived on scene and located the suspect and took him into custody. He was in possession of burglary tools and a large amount of coins. It was discovered that he was on parole and just passing through the area and needed money so he broke into the machine. A female reported that she had been sexually assaulted by a known male at the Green Acres Motel. When video from the motel did not match up with her story, she eventually admitted she made up the story so her boyfriend would not get mad at her. She was charged with filing a False Police Report. 17

19 JULY A subject with 2 juvenile female passengers in his car, refused to stop for police in the early morning hours (1:25Am) on a hot July Day. He led police on a short chase which ended when he pulled into a driveway on Sheridan Road. The driver was taken into custody for Fleeing and Eluding, driving on a Suspended License, and Transporting Dangerous Narcotics. AUGUST A Father reported that he believed that his 4-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by a male acquaintance who was babysitting her. The suspect denied the charge and was given a polygraph. The suspect confessed during the polygraph to inappropriate touching the girl along with being in possession of child pornography. A search warrant was obtained and child pornography was recovered from the suspects computer. The suspect is waiting for a trial. At the Green Acres Motel, Officers responded to a report of a large group of people loitering in the parking lot. When Officers arrived, the group slit up and fled on foot. One subject was apprehended and a search of his person revealed a loaded handgun and a large number of narcotics. The subject was charged with a Concealed Pistol Violation, and Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Deliver. A jogger on Airport Road near Cutler called 911 to report she had a broken leg. The jogger was located by DTFD and found to have multiple fractures to her legs, arms, and head. The victim did not remember much of the Incident. It was evident at the scene that the victim had been hit by a ar. Evidence was collected and sent to the MSP Crime Lab. Multiple Tips have come in, but no suspects have been identified. SEPTEMBER PNC Bank contacted the police to report that they discovered an employee had stolen over $21,000 from the bank. The employee was responsible for all ATM Deposits. She would pocket much of this money instead of turning it over to the bank. This case has been sent to the Prosecutor s for Charges. 18

20 OCTOBER The Police Department was sent to King Arthur s Court for a report of a found child. The child was found by a neighbor wandering around alone in the park near the road. The child was too young to speak or point the officers to where he lived. Members of the DeWitt Township Police and Fire Departments, park employees, and others spent hours attempting to locate the parents. The Mother was located and didn t care what was happening. She was arrested for Child Neglect and taken to the Clinton County Jail. LAFCU Called to report a suspicious situation. They believed a male was being held captive by another male and was being forced to open up an account against his will. When Officers arrived to investigate, the suspect fled on foot towards Meijer s. Officers apprehended the suspect, he had a loaded firearm underneath him and was a convicted felon. NOVEMBER A resident in Springbrook Hills Subdivision called to report her jewelry missing. When it was reported that she used the same cleaning company as another victim, Detective Schaberg located the same suspect from the previous incident had pawned this victim s jewelry, too. Again, the jewelry had been melted down but the victim s description was so unique, Prosecutors were able to charge the suspect with an addition charge. DECEMBER Center Stage Bar and Reno s North both reported Breaking and Entering s of their businesses. Center Stage, in fact, was hit twice. Both Bars windows were broken and the suspects stole money from the pull tab machines and liquor from the bars. Multiple other bars in Ingham and Eaton Counties reported similar incidents. Evidence and video was obtained and the investigation is ongoing. Meijer s has been reporting multiple Liquor Thefts by the same people in DeWitt and other surrounding Meijer Stores. On Meijer s reported that the suspects were in the store. DTPD Officers Arrived just as the female suspect was getting into a car. They attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects wanted no part of stopping. The vehicle lead officers on a chase and the vehicle was stopped in Lansing, with help from MSP, and all suspects were apprehended. This groups of thieves is responsible for more than $30,000 in Liquor Thefts. 19

ARRESTS YEAR MISDEMEANOR FELONY TOTAL 2009 335 53 388 2010 266 62 328 2011 248 46 294 2012 281 41 322 2013 334 74 408 2014 417 67 484 2015 539 85 624 2016 528 114 642 Felony arrests were made for:

21 ARRESTS YEAR MISDEMEANOR FELONY TOTAL Felony arrests were made for: Felonious Assaults, Drug Charges-Intent to Deliver-other, Criminal Sexual Conducts, Felony Firearm, Arson, Embezzlement, Robbery, Parole Absconders, CC Fraud-& Other, Warrant Arrests, Fleeing and Eluding, Etcetera MIS FELONY TOTAL TOTAL FELONY MIS 20

ACCIDENTS-The Last 5 Years TYPE 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 FATAL 2 0 3 2 1 INJURY 41 43 34 24 36 PROPERTY 206 268 250 191 136 CAR/DEER 107 128 96 108 118 TOTAL # 356 439 383 325 291 We were dispatched

22 ACCIDENTS-The Last 5 Years TYPE FATAL INJURY PROPERTY CAR/DEER TOTAL # We were dispatched to a single motor vehicle crash on on Chandler Road south of State Road at 2:54Am. The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle, a 21-year-old Illinois man, lost control and went into an embankment/ditch and was killed instantly. Injury accidents were up a little in 2016, property damage accidents were down considerably and car vs deer down slightly. Accidents happen for a lot of reasons: Drivers get distracted, drive too fast, drive while intoxicated and/or under the influence of drugs. Sometimes you're just in the right (or wrong) place at the right time and get hit because of one the above-or a deer decides to run into you. To reduce accidents, we enforce speed laws, arrest drivers for operating under the influence, and patrol high crash areas. We also have a speed sign to let people know when they are going too fast FATAL INJURY PDA DEER

23 2016 SPECIALIZED UNITS RECOGNITION ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS LT. NELSON CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS SGT. DARNELL PO STUMP PO ROBBINS DETECTIVE BUREAU PO SCHABERG LT. NELSON FIREARMS INSTRUCTORS CHIEF RUSSELL LT. NELSON SGT. SMITH PO STUMP K9 TEAM PO KOLKA & ARES LESS LETHAL INSTRUCTOR-TASER SGT. DARNELL SPECIAL OPS TEAM LT.NELSON PO JOHNSON PO STUMP PO SHELLBERG PO CHRISTENSEN CHRIS CARTER CHAPLAIN DEFENSIVE TACTICS INSTRUCTORS PO CHRISTENSEN PO GREENMAN FIELD TRAINING STAFF SGT. JONES PO STUMP HONOR GUARD PO KOLKA LEIN COORDINATOR-VALIDATION ADMN. LISA HICKS-BETZ PO JOHNSON METH TEAM PUBLIC RELATIONS/SCHOOL LIAISON PO ROBBINS ALL 22

24 Conclusion: Nationally, there are several critical issues and problems facing law enforcement in the future. We are fortunate to not have all the big city problems or national problems, but we do experience some of it to a varying degree. Combating Illegal Drugs is one of those issues, and should be since more people died of overdoses in 2015 and 2016 than any other reason. Law Enforcement professionals understand and continue to be alarmed by the magnitude of drug abuse, synthetic and designer drugs, trafficking of same, that threaten the well-being of millions of individuals, in particular youth. Legalizing drugs would not improve the health of communities or reduce violent or property crime. Rather, it would mislead the public perception of the risks and costs of drug use and lead to an increase in demand for, and the availability and use of drugs. There is a close relationship between drug abuse and other crimes, 82% of all inmates admitted to prior use of drugs and 36% acknowledged being on drugs at the time of the offense. Another problem in the US is violence with firearms, this is mostly seen in large cities. Approximately 20,000 lives are lost each year to gun violence according to the International Chiefs of Police. 2.3 Billion dollars is spent on medical expenses, with the taxpayer picking up about 1.1 Billion dollars. Recruitment and Retention of Police Officer s, and getting qualified candidates is another challenge plaguing police departments nationwide. 23

25 In 2017, and into the foreseeable future, it s going to be even harder to keep the cops you have in the wake of public scrutiny. The last time there was a shortage of police officers to this degree was in the year 2000, when high paying dotcom jobs and other opportunity existed in the private sector. Nowadays, we are seeing reduced pension benefits, understaffing, and the fear of making a mistake that will bring scrutiny and perhaps criminal prosecution is difficult to overcome. It will require extra effort to keep morale and enthusiasm for police work at high levels. Social Media is another area that needs attention, however, in many cases the whole truth is not being told or shown on media sights. Police cases and officers are being tried in the court of public opinion on the internet. The favorite media buzz is Officer Caught on Video which more often than not immediately proscribes that an officer was doing something wrong. I want to thank all the Police Officers and Support Staff for helping to keep our township and its citizens safe. We will continue to do our small part in this big world by taking drugs and illegal guns off the streets, educating youth and the public when possible, and doing are best to recruit qualified candidates for police officer when the need arises. We appreciate the support of the Community, the Board of Trustees, and will continue our focus on ensuring that we use tax payer dollars responsibly. Respectfully, Chief Brian Russell Officer Johnson & Officer Rennaker 24

26 FIREARMS TRAINING 25

27 PINEWOOD DERBY

Involved in a Hit and Run Accident on 03-27-2016 @ 7:30Pm., the 74 year-old driver continued to drive with a wheel missing.

04-17-2016 @ 6:10Am., Units were dispatched to McDonalds for a Property Damage Accident.

28 Involved in a Hit and Run Accident on 7:30Pm., the 74 year-old driver continued to drive with a wheel missing. She was stopped near 69 and DeWitt Roads and ultimately arrested for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor. 6:10Am., Units were dispatched to McDonalds for a Property Damage Accident. The 20 year old Driver lost control of his car and hit the brick wall surrounding the trash cans. He was cited for Reckless Driving, bricks were scattered for 50 feet. He stated he didn t think he was going very fast. 27

29 CHIEF RUSSELL AT COMMUNITY SHOWCASE PO Kolka and ARES talking about Police and K9 s to Pre-Schoolers January I think ARES is resting before his speaking part in the presentation. 28

On the first day of school, 08-31-2016 @ 7:46Am., Police, Fire and EMS were dispatched to a 2 car serious injury accident at Stoll and Airport Roads.

The at fault driver was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and he consented to a blood draw at the hospital.

30 On the first day of school, 7:46Am., Police, Fire and EMS were dispatched to a 2 car serious injury accident at Stoll and Airport Roads. The at fault driver was west on Stoll Road and pulled out in front of a vehicle that was northbound on Airport Road. The at fault driver was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and he consented to a blood draw at the hospital. *Residents in the area were fed up with accidents at or near this intersection and asked the Clinton County Board of Commissioners to make this a 4-Way Stop. They approved same and signs were put up later in Units were dispatched to Meijer s on for a Reckless Driver who hit several cars. An 88 yearold woman was trying to park her car, lost control, went over a curb and ran into a total of 5 cars. She was sent into the Secretary of State for a re-evaluation of her license. *Note she was NOT cited for Reckless Driving. 29

31 DeWitt Township PD celebrated 50 years of service Above is Retired Chief Bruce Angel-DeWitt Township s 1 st Chief of Police Chief Russell serving DeWitt Township Since

Highlighted Activity for January 10-16, 2019

Highlighted Activity for January 10-16, 2019 During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 397 service events, resulting in 90 investigations. To see a complete listing of crimes reported,