From the Desk of Sheriff Abbott – 3/06/2026

• For the month of February, Dispatchers took 3,306 phone calls. Uniform Response had 303 traffic stops in February, putting the 2-month total at 594. Uniform Response handled 654 calls for service in February, putting the total for the year at 1,418.
• Uniform Response handled a Traffic Crash just outside the Decatur Village Limits involving an SUV vs. Semi. The driver of the SUV had to be extricated by the Decatur-Hamilton Fire Department. The driver was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. The other two occupants in the SUV and the semi driver were able to avoid serious injuries. The accident remains under investigation. The preliminary investigation shows the semi driver went over the centerline and caused the crash.
• Update date from last weeks weekly news updates. A suspect was identified from the dinosaur lawn ornament stolen in Geneva Township. The dinosaur was recovered and returned to the victim. The suspect was charged and arrested for the incident.        
• Uniform Response attempted a Traffic Stop in Antwerp Township for a Motor Vehicle Code Violation. The suspect driver from Plainwell attempted to flee the Deputy but eventually stopped after a pursuit ensued. Deputies found during the vehicle search a large amount of Methamphetamine, as well as packaging materials and scales. The driver was lodged for flee & elude, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, driving while license suspended, and no vehicle insurance.
• Uniform Response took a Fraud Complaint that happened in Antwerp Township. The victim sent over $65,000 to his online “girlfriend” which turned out to be in Singapore using crypto.
• I cannot keep stressing enough about all the online scams that go on just like the one above. I personally received several calls/texts this past few weeks about a scam which reads at the top of an official looking form: State of Michigan in the Detroit Municipal Court County of Wayne. It’s advising you have a parking violation asking for payment through a QR Code attached to scan. That will obviously take you to a fake site to steal your money. Another one I was called about was a loan company asking for charges due to late fees. Literally on a weekly basis criminals are looking for different ways to steal your money over the internet. Stay vigilant and don’t fall for any of these. If you ever have a question about it being possibly fake, call any law enforcement agency and we can vet things for you.
• Uniform Response handled a Domestic Violence Call in Hartford Township. Upon arrival, the male suspect slammed the door and refused to open it. The suspect yelled he was going to kill himself and people inside the residence started screaming. Entry was immediately made due to the exigent circumstances. The suspect would not comply with Deputies, and a physical altercation took place. The suspect was lodged for the incident.
• Our 911 Dispatch Director Mike Hostetler attended the Michigan Interoperable Communication Conference in Muskegon. It was a 3-day conference that covered topics such as advantages of interoperable communications, innovations in communications, data sharing, emergency response, evolutionary changes in interoperable communications, and the importance of building strong relationships across agencies.