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Kalamazoo Public Safety

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Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Public Safety

Public Safety Department (Police, Fire and Rescue) for the City of Kalamazoo.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is an organization that combines law enforcement and fire services into a unified organization with a goal of providing the highest level of professional public service to our community. Our diverse force, comprised of almost 300 sworn officers and civilian staff, incorporates modern technology and comprehensive training techniques to enhance the organization’s overall effectiveness while continually striving to meet the challenges of the future.

06/25/2026

𝗞𝗗𝗣𝗦 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘇𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

A recent directed patrol operation conducted by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety's Northside officers resulted in the arrest of a 24-year-old Kalamazoo man and the seizure of multiple fi****ms, suspected narcotics and cash Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 3:26 p.m. on June 23, officers were conducting a directed patrol in the 700 block of Bosker Street following numerous community complaints regarding drug activity and other quality-of-life concerns in the area.

During the patrol, officers observed a firearm being placed inside a vehicle. Officers initiated a traffic stop and observed the firearm, identified as a Draco-style pistol, on the vehicle's floorboard near the driver's feet.

When officers attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle, he resisted arrest. Officers were able to take the suspect into custody without further incident.

A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the Draco-style firearm, a second handgun that had been reported stolen, and an automatic conversion switch. Officers also located a large pill bottle containing suspected oxycodone pills, multiple bags of ma*****na packaged for distribution, and approximately $1,767 in cash believed to be connected to narcotics activity.

The 24-year-old suspect was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on multiple charges, including weapons, narcotics and resisting and obstructing offenses. Formal charges will be determined by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office.

KDPS would like to thank the community members who reported concerns in the area. The information provided played a key role in identifying the issues that led to this enforcement action.

Community members are encouraged to continue reporting suspected criminal activity. Tips can be provided directly to the KDPS Operations Division at 269-337-8142. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, through the P3Tips mobile app, or online at KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

By authority of: Master PIO Zach Hamelton

06/25/2026

We were happy to lend a helping wing. 🦆❤️

When a family of ducklings found themselves trapped in a nearby drain, CPO Crooks, CPO Bagley, and PSO Straka worked together to safely rescue the little ones, reunite them with their mother, and guide them on their way.

A great team effort, a happy ending, and one more reason to smile. We hope this brightens your day as much as it did ours.

06/24/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸

On June 19th, 2026, members of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET,) with the assistance of the Battle Creek Police Department patrol division, executed a search warrant in the 40 block of W Burnham St, in the City of Battle Creek, following an investigation into drug sales.

The suspect, along with a second individual, were detained without incident as they arrived at the residence. The search yielded over a quarter pound of fentanyl and evidence of drug manufacturing and distribution. While executing the search warrant, a third subject arrived at the residence and was found to be illegally concealing a firearm.

The 40-year-old and 34-year-old male suspects, who were the target of the drug investigation, were arrested and lodged at the Calhoun County Jail and will be facing multiple felony charges. The 36-year-old male, who was illegally possessing the firearm, was also arrested and lodged at the Calhoun County Jail and will be facing multiple felony charges.

If you have information about this case, please call KVET at 269-337-8880. You can also submit an anonymous tip through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

By authority of: Sergeant Ryan Perez

06/24/2026

Grab your blankets and chairs - we’re bringing the big screen to you for three FREE Friday night movie events this summer! 🎬✨

We will be kicking off the event series this Friday, June 26 at Frays Park with a free showing of Superman. Each event will start at 6 p.m. with music and a Youth Fair with products for sale from youth entrepreneurs. Movies will begin at 7 p.m.

The movies in July and August will be picked by you! Make your movie selection at www.kzooparks.org/SummerCinema

06/24/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A news release with additional information pertaining to this case has been published to our site and can be found here: https://www.kalamazoopublicsafety.org/News-articles/KDPS-Investigating-Fatal-Hit-and-Run

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Roadway has been reopened to traffic.

We are investigating a serious traffic crash near the intersection of S Westnedge Ave and W Cedar St. S Westnedge is currently closed at Lovell St and traffic is being diverted to the west. Please avoid the area until we can get the roadway clear and opened back up.

06/23/2026

See inside Kalamazoo's newest multimillion-dollar building. It's not a school — and it shouldn't feel like one — according to teens who helped shape the space.

06/23/2026

𝗞𝗗𝗣𝗦 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has identified the victim in Sunday's homicide investigation as Alexis "Alex" Jose Freay-Caballero, 44. KDPS extends its condolences to Alex's family and friends during this difficult time.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives are urging anyone with information related to this case to come forward. Even information that may seem insignificant could prove valuable to investigators.

KDPS would also like to correct information included in the initial news release. The incident occurred in the 100 block of Parkway Drive, not the 1400 block of Parkway Drive as previously reported.

The homicide was reported at approximately 5:40 p.m. Sunday, June 21, when officers responded to a wooded area and located Freay-Caballero deceased with apparent injuries. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be investigated by the KDPS Criminal Investigations Division and Kalamazoo Forensic Crime Laboratory.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the KDPS Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Kalamazoo Silent Observer by calling 269-343-2100, through the P3Tips app, or online at KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

By authority of: Master PIO Zach Hamelton

06/23/2026

𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱, 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗩𝗘𝗧/𝗖𝗥𝗧 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

On June 16th, 2026, members of the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) and Crime Reduction Team (CRT) executed multiple search warrants following an investigation into drug sales. The locations of the search warrants were as follows: 800 block of Grant St and 900 block of Princeton Ave. Both are within the City of Kalamazoo and were the result of the same investigation.

The suspect of this investigation was contacted in the 800 block of Grant St and detained without incident. Following his arrest, the search warrants were executed at both residences.

The investigation concluded with the seizure of the following:
• ¾ pound of fentanyl
• ¼ pound of crack co***ne
• 1 ounce of co***ne
• approximately 5 pounds of ma*****na
• evidence of drug manufacturing and distribution
• large sum of US currency which is believed to be proceeds of drug sales

The 49-year-old male suspect was arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail and will be facing multiple felony charges. A 2nd suspect, a 25-year-old female was also arrested and lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail and will be facing felony drug charges. A 3rd suspect, a 25-year-old male, was not arrested, however could face multiple felony charges pending a review by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office. The 49-year-old male suspect had been recently released from federal prison in 2025 on drug related offenses. He is currently on federal supervised release.

On June 18th, 2026, both suspects were arraigned in the 8th district court. The 49-year-old male suspect, identified as Matthew Lipsey Jr, was issued a $100,000 cash or surety bond. The 25-year-old female suspect, identified as Letahzia Petty, was issued a $100,000 cash or surety bond.

If you have information about this case, please call KVET at 269-337-8880. You can also submit an anonymous tip through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

By authority of: Sergeant Ryan Perez

06/22/2026

𝗞𝗗𝗣𝗦 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲

On Sunday, June 21, 2026, at approximately 5:40 p.m., officers with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) responded to a report of a deceased individual found in a wooded area in the 100 block of Parkway Drive.

Upon arrival, officers located a 44-year-old man who was deceased and had apparent injuries. The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated as a homicide. The victim’s name is currently being withheld until his next of kin have been notified.

The Criminal Investigations Division and Kalamazoo Forensic Crime Laboratory are investigating the incident. The investigation remains in its early stages. KDPS asks anyone with information related to this case to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 269-337-8139. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, via the P3Tips app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

06/22/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲

On June 18, 2026, a jury convicted Vernon Phillip Powell, 47, of second-degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of Aaron Lee Starling, 28.

Powell was also convicted of:
• Two counts of felony firearm.
• Felon in possession of a weapon.
• Carrying a concealed weapon.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2026, by Judge Paul J. Bridenstine.

Starling was shot on September 3, 2022, in the 600 block of Portage Street. He was transported to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

"This conviction represents accountability under the law and the diligent work of everyone involved in the investigation," said Captain Danielle Guilds of the Criminal Investigations Division. “We hope this verdict brings some measure of closure to Aaron’s family.”

Address

150 E Crosstown Pkwy Suite A
Kalamazoo, MI
49001

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 3pm
Tuesday	10am - 3pm
Wednesday	10am - 3pm
Thursday	10am - 3pm
Friday	10am - 3pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/kalpublicsafety

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