Category From the Desk of Sheriff Abbott

Uniform Response handled 700 calls in December, ending the year at 10,088. They had 356 traffic stops in December, ending the year at 4,663. Dispatchers overall call for service in December were 4,994. Overall calls they dispatched out for service ended the year at 65,941.

Uniform Response stopped a vehicle for multiple driving violations in the Village of Lawrence. After contact with the driver, it was found that he was intoxicated. After the investigation, the driver was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol 3rd offence (Felony) as well as an outstanding larceny warrant from Dowagiac PD. He was lodged for the incident with a hold place on him for Dowagiac PD

• Uniform Response set up on a Stolen Vehicle out of Ionia County being Tracked by ONSTAR on I94hwy. Sgt Rennhack had ONSTAR disable the vehicle as it was exiting the highway in a safe location with backup units with him. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. The suspect had a suspended driver’s license and was enroute to Benton Harbor with the stolen vehicle to give a subject a ride home that got out to prison the day prior. The vehicle was impounded for safe return to the victim. The passenger was not charged with the incident. The driver will be charged for the suspended license out of our county and the other crimes will be charged out of Ionia.

As the holiday season is upon us, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a safe and Happy New Year.

Deputies responded to a Medical Call with an Individual that was Unresponsive. Life saving measures were taken, but unfortunately the victim could not be saved. Our office responds to these types of calls on a regular basis. I’m mentioning this call due to the widow having health issues and not knowing how she’d be able to feed their horses. Without hesitation, Brittany Hood, a member of our mounted division responded to the scene and took care of the horses for her while deputies assisted her with everything else at the scene. Our condolences go out to the family and friends.

In the month of November, Deputies handled 835 calls for service, putting the total for the year at 9,388. Deputies made 301 traffic stops in November putting the total for the year at 4,307. Dispatchers took 7,690 phone calls in November, putting the total for the year at 96,433. Out of the calls for the year, 35,352 were 911 calls. Fun fact, November has been the slowest call volume for Dispatchers at that number and July was the busiest with 10,501 calls.

Our SWAT Team trained over in Kalamazoo at an abandoned motel that is getting ready to be torn down. They ran numerous training exercises such as room clearing, breaching doors, approaches, stacks, etc.

Uniform Response handled a Stolen License Plate in Paw Paw Township. It was entered into LEIN as stolen.

• Our Animal Control Shelter will be partnering with the Bissel Pet Foundation to help bring Hope to the Shelter during the Holiday Season. Empty the Shelters in December will help our county find forever homes for these animals. The event is going to be from December 1-15 at our Hartford shelter location. Citizens will be able to adopt a dog for $40 for a dog 6 months or older.
• Uniform Response responded to a Larceny in Progress in Hartford Township. The owner of the building saw 2 individuals on his property in his surveillance cameras taking items. The victim was able to give a description of the truck to dispatch. A Deputy in the area located the truck and made a traffic stop on it. The 2 individuals from Berrien County admitted to taking the items. Deputies found more items in question, and they admitted to stealing those from a nearby construction site. They were both lodged and are facing charges for the crimes.