ACCIDENT… Watervliet Fire Chief Dan Jones said that the Fire Department was on the scene for several hours while this truck and trailer were re-moved and the damaged power lines and pole was replaced. Upon arrival the driver was in-structed to remain in the semi tractor while it was determined if the electrical lines were still energized. American Electric Power (AEP) responded to the scene and cut the power so that the drive could safely be re-moved. The driver was turned over to Medic 1 for assessment and was ultimately transported to Lakeland Hospital for treat-ment. AEP line crews quickly repaired the damage once the semi-tractor and trailer were removed by Hasse’s Towing. The Michigan State Police was the police agency that handled the accident. They could not be reached for comment. The Po-kagon Tribal Police also re-sponded to assist.
By Annette Christie
Summer long drunk driving crackdown
Michigan State Police made an announcement recently with Comerica Park as the backdrop, reminding drivers that you won’t need to hit a home run to be an all-star, all you need is a designated driver. They deliver the message with the hope that it will resonate with motorists as the Fourth of July holiday approaches. Traffic deaths, especially alcohol-involved traffic deaths, increase during the summer months. That’s why all summer long, law enforcement officers from police departments, sheriff’s offices and the Michigan State Police will step up drunk driving enforcement across the state as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. “A designated hitter might bring you home, but a sober designated driver can get you home safely after drinking,” said Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. “Law enforcement officers across the state will be on the lookout for drunk drivers this summer to help ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the festivities safely.” In 2015, Michigan alcohol-involved traffic deaths were up 28 percent from 2014, from 107 to 138. Drug involved fatal crashes were up 19 percent, from 150 to 179 in 2015. Officers, deputies and troopers who work the federally funded drunk driving patrols are all specially trained in Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). SFST-trained officers complete 24 hours of lecture and hands-on instruction in comprehensive impaired driver detection. During last year’s Fourth of July holiday, 292 motorists were arrested for drunk driving. There were 12 traffic deaths over that holiday period; more than 60 percent of those deaths involved alcohol. In Michigan, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher. Under the state’s high BAC law, motorists face enhanced penalties if a first-time arrest is for a .17 BAC or higher. This project is part of Michigan’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan signed by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2013.
Coloma Township Police Activity
For the month of May, the Coloma Township Police Department responded to 196 total complaints and made 28 arrests, all of which were for misdemeanors. Of the complaints, there were 29 other agency assists, 13 driving law violations, two weapons offenses, and 10 suspicious situations. There were three drug arrests, three operating while intoxicated arrests, and one other alcohol related arrest. The department performed 102 traffic stops (44 in the City of Coloma and 58 in Coloma Township). They issued 98 warnings and 27 citations.
Keeler Township Police Activity
Van Buren County Sheriff Deputy Ray Hochsprung, who is assigned to Keeler Township, reports that a grant funded Seat Belt Enforcement Program that was run in a portion of Keeler Township went very well. He said that there were numerous violations that were found due to the extra enforcement provided by the grant. During the month of May, Hochsprung conducted four blight/zoning violations, all of which are being or are close to being resolved. He worked 18 complaints and three traffic complaints. There were 10 assists to other agencies, 16 traffic stops, 13 verbal warnings, and three felony arrests. Hochsprung performed 136 property checks during the month.
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