Keeping Lowell Safe: Police Beat for November 2019

Last month, Lowell police officers didn’t just stop crime; they also helped keep local students warm when the cold weather hit. There’s more about that at the end of this article, but first, a look at the monthly numbers.

In November 2019, the Lowell Police Department received 186 calls for service. These included the following, among others:

  • 24 calls for assistance to other agencies
  • 15 total arrests
  • 5 ordinance violations
  • 2 drunk driving cases
  • 2 drug law violations

Plus, the department made 116 traffic stops and issued 37 citations as a result.

Here’s a closer look at some of the police activity for the month.

Drunk Driver Refused Roadside Test

A vehicle was stopped at the corner of Lincoln Lake and Chatham, and the officer noted the driver had glazed eyes and an odor of intoxicants was coming from the car. The driver refused a roadside breath test. He was transported to the jail where his blood was drawn after a search warrant had been issued for it. His blood alcohol content was 0.20. Anything above 0.08 is considered operating while intoxicated in Michigan. The driver was charged with his second drunk driving offense and bond was set at $1,000.

OWI with a High BAC

The second drunk driving case in November involved a female driver who was pulled over for driving without her headlights on. There was an odor of intoxicants coming from her vehicle, and a roadside test revealed her BAC to be 0.22. She was lodged at the Kent County Jail and charged with an OWI, high BAC – first offense.

Out-of-State Driver with a Gun

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office requested Lowell Police assist with a possible domestic incident in the Meijer parking lot. The responding county officer was traveling from a long distance to the store.

A Lowell officer was able to stop the vehicle in question at Vergennes and Lincoln Lake. The driver was from Florida and admitted that there had been an incident at Meijer, but he did not want to get into trouble. It was discovered that there was a loaded .380 handgun in the glove compartment, and the driver and passenger were turned over to Kent County officers when they arrived.

Traffic Stop Leads to Marijuana Citation

A vehicle was stopped for failing to have its headlights on. The driver and passengers were under 21 and had been apparently smoking marijuana earlier in the day. It was determined that the driver was not driving under the influence, but 24.95 grams of marijuana was confiscated from one person in the car and a smaller amount from another person. They were given civil infractions for underage marijuana possession.

Possible Possession of Meth

In another traffic stop, a vehicle was pulled over for a defective brake light. The driver did not have a valid driver’s license, and the passenger refused to provide identification. It ended up the driver had an outstanding warrant for shoplifting, and the passenger had an outstanding warrant for child neglect. Drug paraphernalia and a bag containing a crystal-like substance were found in the vehicle. Charges are pending a drug analysis of the substance.

Disabled Vehicle Leads to Possible Drug Charge

A vehicle was in the roadway with its hazard lights on, and a police officer helped push the car out of the intersection. The driver did not have a license but did have active warrants out of Kent County. Plus, a bag of needles was found in the vehicle. They were sent to the lab to be analyzed for suspected opioids.

Retail Theft from Wireless Store

A local electronics store reported the theft of a Garmin Bluetooth device. The suspect was captured on surveillance video, but the police have not been able to apprehend him yet. He is described as a heavy-set black man in his late 40s or early 50s, and his photo can be found on the Lowell Police Department Facebook page. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department or Silent Observer.

Cold Weather Warriors Helps 30+ Kids

Each year, the Lowell Police Department runs a Cold Weather Warriors program. Officers collect coats, snowpants, boots, hats and gloves to distribute to area children. They work with Lowell Area Schools staff to identify elementary and middle school students who don’t have appropriate winter gear and then outfit them with any items they are missing. Police Chief Steve Bukala says the department is usually able to deliver coats and items the same day they are requested by the school. In 2019, more than 30 children received winter gear through the Cold Weather Warriors program.

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