2023 City of Muskegon. It was, Kasher said, the big break for the Heeringa and Bletsch cases. North Muskegon, MI 49445 In Norton Shores, Mich. This page is not a substitute for reporting crime. This results in 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 10% greater than the Michigan average and 30.1% less than the National average. He says while his tenure hasn't been perfect, there . 8617, Amy Gerard Local Police Officers Graduate from the MPTC Police Academy Police Department - Fruitport Charter Township The Police Department is on duty 24 hours a day. He was preceded in death by his parents. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Muskegon Police Department at 231-724-6750, or Silent Observer at 231-722-7463. Because tax filing deadlines have been postponed, it is not yet clear exactly how much money the city lost in income tax revenue this spring, but the budget was drafted estimating that these revenues would amount to $7.75 million this year - about a quarter of the citys revenue. POST Commission Suspends Fifteen Law Enforcement Officers Regular business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Police - Muskegon Central Dispatch 9-1-1 Chief Edward Viverette Submit a Tip Help make Muskegon a safe community to live, work and play. After the budget was approved, following about an hour of debate, four Muskegon residents called in to the virtual meeting to express their desire for some level of defunding the police. After all, customers had been in and out of the station all night. School Resource Officer Dave Nelson If you need assistance, please contact the POST Commission. Well yeah, thats why I brought in other peopleI was more than happy to have their assistance.. Ext. It is essential that all members, in the execution of their duties, act not for themselves but for the good of the public. 1114 Ruddiman Dr. Muskegon Police Officers provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, promoting good community relations, and patrolling assigned area to prevent crime; enforce laws, ordinances and traffic regulations, control crowds, and arrest violators; and may perform a specialized police activity Willis is charged with the homicide of Rebekah Bletsch in 2014, the kidnapping of a teenage girl in April of 2016, and he is a person of interest in the disappearance of Jessica Heeringa. Livescan Fingerprinting: $75. Ext. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Her body has never been recovered. Amy.Gerard3@mcd911.net He previously told MLive that the city expects an ongoing downturn in its revenue because, as city residents lost their jobs during the pandemic, they would stop paying local income taxes. Anyone with. Department Of Corrections. Police Department 1114 Ruddiman Dr. North Muskegon, MI 49445 Emergency: 911 Office: (231) 744-4313 The North Muskegon Police Department is on duty 24/7. This is a chance for the commission to move in the right direction, where we could actually make some change and listen to the voices of the community, he said. Strong law enforcement has made a difference in Muskegon County. The kids are going to miss their Uncle Bill and we'll miss one of the best friends we ever had. Rest in God's loving arms. I feel like I hurt some people through it. Officer Brendan Zandi, Share on Facebook It was their assistance, including the establishment of a tip line and system to prioritize them which eventually numbered over 2,000 that helped the Norton Shores department that some thought was too small solve the case, Kasher said. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. We didnt have the evidence. Fitchburg, Massachusetts, United States Investigator - Detective Bureau of Criminal Investigation, conducting criminal . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. NEW! He later worked at the Iona County Sheriff Department. Victims may receive notifications regarding defendant status. A small memorial with balloons and a teddy bear could be . Muskegon Heights City Hall It's been a long haul brother but it's finally over. Muskegon, MI 49440. Mayor Sims shows off the Citys Bike Patrol Officers. Before casting the lone dissenting vote on the budget, City Commissioner Willie German expressed dismay that changes had not been made to the police budget to reflect community concerns. Find useful services for victim assistance. Investigators know from many witness interviews that he frequented the Exxon station and would chat with her. These include banning chokeholds, requiring de-escalation, warning before shooting, and outlawing shooting at moving vehicles, all of which Gawron said is current Muskegon city policy. That shooting was found at the time to be justified, following an investigation by the Michigan State Police. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. Arrangements handed by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Theres no way he knewthat Rebekah was going to go for a run that day. He served 15 months in jail and five years of probation. Without her, we really would have been in a lot of trouble, Kasher said. And so it is, You failed. You are the failure. Willis was never tried in the teens kidnapping because he already was convicted in the Heeringa and Bletsch cases and will never leave prison. Background Check: $30 (Corresponding Reports: $6) Jail History: $6. 1903 Marquette Avenue. Join us today at noon in Custer Park as we plant an American sycamore tree in Walker Park with North Muskegon Public Schools. Michigan Police Officer Is Terminated After K.K.K. Application Was Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. He was born October 2, 1953 in Grand Haven, MI to William R. and Evelyn (Broersma) Wiebenga, Sr. Visit us for city regulation questions, various permits, and other police needs. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Police Home Employee Contacts Property Check Request FOIA Request Contact Us Fruitport Township Police | 5825 Airline Hwy Fruitport, MI 49415 | Phone: 231 865-8477 | Fax: 231 865-2173 Office Hours: 8:00am to 4:00pm M-F | After hours please contact Muskegon Central Dispatch 231-722-3524 WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin. Published by Muskegon Chronicle from Apr. In 2018, his wife, Julie, finally let him retire. RELATED: Hundreds gather in Muskegon to march for racial justice. Thats something else Kasher has had to take on: the anger her loved ones have directed toward him for not focusing on bringing Heeringa home alive. If the fire department receives notice of any fire alarm from an alarm system that does not have a valid registration, then the owner shall be liable to the city for a fee as provided for in Section 42-41 of the Code of the City of Muskegon Heights for each Muskegon Heights Fire Department response to false fire alarms. Freedom of Information Act FOIA online request form access. Lt. Kasher was the lead detective on the Hearing case since 2013. In addition to daily duties, other services are provided to the public, such as: Locate useful information for getting your CPL License. By law, the city had to pass a budget by the start of a new fiscal year, which is July 1. In Norton Shores, Mich. The budget planning process was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Peterson. Kasher retired in 2019 after 29 years and now works as assistant director of campus safety at Hope College. Local income taxes typically comprise some $9.6 million, representing about a third of the citys annual $27 million in revenue, according to Peterson. The POST Commission is required to immediately suspend the certification of any officer who is arrested, charged or indicted for a felony, pursuant to M.G.L. City of North Muskegon Police Department Officer Bios. That was, as Kasher puts it, pre-Willis -- before Jeffrey Willis became the prime suspect through his involvement in two other cases involving kidnapping and murder. Related: Jeffrey Willis trial: Tearful witness believes she saw Heeringa kidnapping. In addition to the Chief of Police, the Department includes two lieutenants, six sergeants, six corporals, twenty-three police officers, three full-time clerks and several part-time/seasonal cadets. MUSKEGON, MI - At a time when communities across the country are discussing how much funding policing operations receive, the city of Muskegon has adopted a budget that increases police funding, following an emotional several weeks of public feedback. Kasher, a former lieutenant with the Norton Shores Police Department, was the lead detective in the Jessica Heeringa case. D.J. convicted of Heeringas kidnapping and murder, Jessica Heeringas disappearance a tragic mystery 10 years later, Jessica Heeringa case not over for investigator until we bring her home, Kevin Bluhm walks free for his role in Jessica Heeringas murder, Jeffrey Willis trial: Tearful witness believes she saw Heeringa kidnapping. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Investigators followed up on a tip, interviewing Willis and searching his van a couple weeks after Heeringa disappeared. MCCC Group prepares to help canvas and clean up the City. Another caller, Kwame James, suggested that system-level change may take a long time. Those pension funds will receive almost $1.3 million in contributions this year, an increase of almost $390,000, Peterson told commissioners before their final vote. Though Bluhm knew Bletsch and Willis likely was watching her, he would not have known she would be out jogging along a rural road on the day he killed her, Kasher said. At the same time, city commissioners have pledged to begin a series of public conversations and listening tours around the issue of policing, police reform, and demands for boosted community and social services. Go Big Red! This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Johnson is alleged to have beaten Anderson about the head. He could regale you for hours with the most amazing stories and with each story you learned more about the man. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. A brother in arms that will be missed by all who knew him. Thank you for your website feedback! If you have any questions or are looking for further information, please call, send us an email, or visit us. Address Police Department City Hall1st Floor 933 Terrace St Muskegon, MI 49440 Hours Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 5:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Closed Phone (231) 724-6903 Fax (231) 724-2043 Send a message Document Search Stay Connected Officer Bios - City of North Muskegon Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services - The Lee Chapel. Please let us know how we can improve this page. The budget, which goes into effect on Wednesday, July 1, includes a $28.8 million general fund, of which $10.76 million is allocated to the police department. Our non-emergency business number is (231)722-3524 for crimes that are not in progress, or . Boston The Massachusetts POST Commission has released a list of fifteen suspended law enforcement officers. along with a database of recertified officers with last names beginning with A-H and newly graduated officers with last names A-Z. Police - City of Muskegon Police Reports: $12. All Rights Reserved. Provide a work environment which stresses teamwork, recognizes the value of diversity and encourages professional development. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. This is a problem that is generations in the making - centuries in the making - and were not going to fix it this year. Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, jpeg, png, Max. This is connected to the arrest of Jeffery Willis who is a suspect in the April attempted kidnapping on West River Road in Muskegon County. Bill was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served 1971-1976 as a Pararescueman. The efforts of those who serve in law enforcement have made our community a better place to live. Ways to honor WILLIAM WIEBENGA's life and legacy. Share by Email, North Muskegon City Hall (MLive file photo). It comes down to evidence and we didnt have it. Lt. Michael Kasher with the Norton Shores Police Department talks with a member of the Michigan State Police as they execute a search warrant on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 3038 Bailey St. Please limit your input to 500 characters. The other part of the case post-Willis that remains open and could always -- is an inability to connect Willis cousin Kevin Bluhm to Heeringas murder, Kasher said. Lynnfield Today, the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) Executive Director Robert Ferullo and Lynnfield Academy Director Jack Dillon announced the graduation of 49 police officers from the MPTC Lynnfield Police Academy's 2nd Recruit Officer Class (ROC). To contact a police officer or report an emergency, dial 911. I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the North Muskegon Police Department website. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. With police interviewing dozens of people at that time, Willis didnt stand out, Kasher said. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis said at an earlier meeting that the department has 10 vacant positions. In 2011, he took the job in Muskegon, managing both the city's police and fire departments. People criticized us and said, Is this too big for you? he said. Related: Kevin Bluhm walks free for his role in Jessica Heeringas murder. Hundreds march in honor of George Floyd in downtown Muskegon. This is a privately owned website and is not owned and operated by any state government organization. As the city continues to figure out what additional state and federal resources are available, there may be more flexibility within city coffers, Peterson said. We've got you covered. Employment Opportunities View current job listings with Muskegon County. Man arrested after woman's body found in Muskegon Heights Saginaw County Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello on. Oh, man, you dont have anybody. Oh man, you guys are sinking., I never read it, but people would tell me about it, he said. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Muskegon County has a unified system for public announcements. I did not know Mr. Wiebenga, however his obituary tells me he was indeed an unselfish man and an American hero. Police Department | City of Muskegon Heights Ypsilanti Police Department officers were dispatched to the intersection of Huron River Drive and LeForge Road around 10:20 a.m. on April 22, for a crash involving a train and pedestrian, police said. To accomplish our mission, we must: This mission statement is born out of the Departmental Professionalism-Policy & Procedure, that being a four-tier system: [gdoc key=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VpBWV4hcNLIP_Ar-jHC-sQRIAk3joNpJ7rkJfVcOl6I/edit?usp=sharing], [ Placeholder content for popup link ] My sincere condolences to the Wiebenga family. Police Department - Muskegon Township Information on North Muskegon Public Schools Tech and Security Millage Renewal. Jeffrey Willis is facing trial for the kidnapping and murder of Heeringa, who disappeared from her late-night job at a Norton Shores gas station in April 2013. City of Fitchburg Police Department Apr 1988 - 2020 32 years. Dear Lin-our wonderful Up North neighbor: Julie and family; My heart is so sad ..you can continue to tell all those fun stories..He was the funniest and kindness patient ever Youre in my heart and in my prayers Love you; Kimberly Lee. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Hes convinced that Bluhm was more involved than he let on. Norton Shores Police Department in Norton Shores, Michigan - County Office Muskegon Heights Police Department (231) 733-8900 2715 Baker St Muskegon, MI 49444. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. He is survived by his wife, Julie A. Wiebenga; daughter, Kacey (David) Romanes; son, William R. (Valeria) Wiebenga III; sister, Lin (Terry) Westra; brother-in-law, Chris (Lynne) Huismann; sister-in-law, Mary (John) Woods; grandkids, Mia and William Wiebenga; nieces and nephews, Charissa Arman, Kyle and Alec Huismann, Bryan Woods; and special 4-legged kids, Fancy, Winston, Hunter and Stillwell. Whitehall Police Department (231) 894-2317 405 E Colby St Whitehall, MI 49461 Julie, we are so sorry for your loss. Even when the years dragged on and the task force was disbanded, Kasher said he knew who to reach out to for help. He still serves Norton Shores as a city council member. They shall respect and protect the rights of individuals and perform their services with honesty, zeal, courage, discretion, integrity, dedication and sound judgment. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. There are other aspects of the investigation that plague him 10 years later. Unemployment soared in the Muskegon-Norton Shores metro area during the height of the outbreak, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 3.9 percent to 29.3 percent. North Muskegon Police Department 1114 Ruddiman Drive North Muskegon, MI 49445. He was so humble about his life in the military as a PJ and law enforcement. Non Emergency: 231-733-8900. Man fatally hit by train while walking along Ypsilanti tracks 1 injured, 1 killed in Muskegon shooting | wzzm13.com CALLING 9-1-1 - Muskegon Central Dispatch 9-1-1 Jail records, court & arrest records, mugshots and even judicial reports. 2715 Baker Street Muskegon Heights, MI 49444 Emergency: 911 Non Emergency: 231-733-8900 The mission of the Muskegon Heights Police Department is to maintain order, preserve public safety, and foster a better quality of life. Norton Shores Police Department. Examples include a fire, a crime (especially in progress), a car crash, or a medical emergency. Recognize the dignity and worth of all people. For those wishing to make an expression of sympathy, please consider the Harbor Hospice Foundation or the Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs of Williston, FL. The Norton Shores Police Department is a full-service law enforcement organization, consisting of 41 dedicated employees. Bill was incredibly proud of his children, Bill and Kacey and grandkids, Mia and Billy, and loved to tell everyone about them. Officer Charles Anderson was. Consider offering these words of comfort if you're not sure what's appropriate. A law enforcement officer whose certification is suspended can request a hearing before a commissioner within 15 days. 25, 2023. Regular business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Bill was described as a "gentle badass". He didnt testify at Willis trial due to the risk of incriminating himself. Contact us for city regulation questions, various permits, and other police needs. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. This follows the POST Commission's early December release of information on recertified officers A-H and newly certified graduates. See more of Fitchburg Police Department on Facebook "The Muskegon Department of Public Safety wishes to extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones who were touched by this tragedy," police said in a statement. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You did your job and your watch has come to and. U.S. Department of Justice. We love you both. In the meantime, Commissioner Ramsey said he would begin a series of Zoom meetings with constituents, so that we can just begin to have conversations about what a reimagination of a public system looks like., Emotional stories shared by black residents at Muskegon forum on policing, Whitmer seeks federal help for flooded West Michigan homeowners, New sculpture honoring Muskegons lumber past arrives at Heritage Landing, Construction delayed again on 6-story, mixed-use building in downtown Muskegon.