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Archive for the ‘Crime’ Category

Public Safety Committee Report: Drug Dealers, Stay out of Benzie

In Crime, Law & Order, Public Safety on March 25, 2013 at 5:36 pm

By Bob Kenison

March 21, 2013

BENZIE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT—Last week Sheriff Ted Schendel held his third public safety meeting since becoming sheriff of Benzie County in January. The meetings are open to the public, and are held the third Thursday of each month. People are encouraged to attend and find out what is happening in Benzie County law enforcement and to share their concerns and opinions. Sheriff Schendel has promised a transparent department that works for the public.

In contrast to the first meeting, in which spirited conversations were held pertaining to new gun laws and the sheriff’s public statements on Facebook and TV news that he would not uphold these new laws, few people showed up for this meeting.

In response to a suggestion at last month’s meeting, a drug drop box is being installed in the sheriff station’s lobby. This can be used to dispose of any drugs, prescription or illegal—no questions asked. Sheriff Schendel noted that sometimes parents find illegal drugs in the hands of their children. This is an easy way to dispose of these drugs and remain anonymous. Most of the county is on a septic system, and disposing of these drugs by flushing them down the toilet could result in contaminated drinking water.

There will be a county commissioners meeting on Tuesday, March 26 at 9 a.m. Sheriff Schendel will be asking the commission to add 5 new deputies to allow for 24/7 police protection for county residents. He has a number of concerned citizens coming to speak on behalf of the sheriff’s department in this regard. Having 24/7 protection is a concern of many area residents. There will also likely be discussion of the new property maintenance ordinance. This will sure to be a lively meeting!

Sheriff Schendel noted that since he took office, Benzie County has had two major drug arrests. One of these arrests was a repeat offender caught with over $5,000 worth of crack cocaine headed for Benzie County. The other was the arrest of Trevor Moody of Frankfort, found with heroin, methadone, and marijuana. An unregistered gun was also found in this arrest. Moody lives just 400 feet from the elementary school.

When campaigning for Sheriff, Schendel vowed to crack down on the drug problem in Benzie County. “These efforts will continue, and drug dealers are being put on notice to leave Benzie County, or spend time in my jail.”

In other news, a Coast Guard representative at the meeting said fishing is already taking place in Betsie Lake, and the Coast Guard boat is tuned up and ready to take to the water. He indicated the sequester will have no impact on the Coast Guard. Sheriff Schendel also indicated the sequester would have no impact on county law enforcement, but will impact the Sleeping Bear Dunes to some degree with shorter hours, and some possible rotating closings of areas of the park.

The next public safety meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, at 6 p.m. in the sheriff’s office. Stop by and get involved!

Public Safety Meeting Synopsis: No Cuts to Sheriff Budget

In Crime, Law & Order, Open Season, Politics, Uncategorized on September 21, 2012 at 3:23 pm

The Public Safety Committee meets monthly to provide an opportunity for the public to share their concerns and questions about county safety and other matters of interest to the community with Sheriff Rory Heckman.

By Bob Kenison

The Public Safety Committee met at the Sheriff’s Department on September 20 at 6 pm.

District 7 county commissioner Don Tanner talked about privatization efforts at Community Mental Health.

The Benzie County Building Department is under watch and may need to be subsidized, as they presented a deficit budget. The county has hired a contractor, AGS out of Kalamazoo, to run and staff the building department, which is projected to save $66,000.

Quite a bit of time was spent voicing opinions on whether the Maples should continue to be supported by the county. We have 1 mil dedicated to this now. It was stated by Sheriff Heckman that many people are not aware of the fact that since the Maples is a Medicaid facility there is no guarantee that residents of Benzie County get priority. Anyone from the state can use the facility. Questions were raised about the management of the facility.

From the sheriff’s office: No cuts are scheduled in the new budget for the sheriff department this year. There will be an opening for a part-time secretary for the detective bureau; the county will order 2 new patrol vehicles this year for the fleet; there are no raises for anyone in the sheriff building this year (there were no raises last year either); but they will be adding a full-time corrections officer.

Both candidates for sheriff were at the meeting: Ted Schendel (R) and Coury Carland (I).

Jackie McLaughlin is having a “scholarship fundraiser” garage sale on October 27 and 28 at 670 Crystal Ave. (M-22) in the backyard building. All proceeds go to local scholarships. On the 27th from 4–6 pm she is having an open-house with appetizers to discuss how to help Benzie kids get ahead. For more info call 352-7669.

The League of Women voters is having a forum for county commission candidates on October 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Benzie County comissioners’ chamber.

The Empty Bowl event is set for Wednesday, October 10, at the Gathering Place in Honor. Soups from many local restaurants will be featured. Proceeds go to the Food Pantry.

Don Tanner has been heavily involved in the Betsie Bay salmon crisis. He has been working with a plethora of people from DNR to local fishermen. He said the consensus is for people to stay out of the bay. The fishing ban runs from North Star Marina straight across the bay to East Shore Marina and up to the other side of the railroad track/bike trail bridge and will be in effect unless amended for the next 5 years.

Autopsies are back for the Luedtke family murders. Sheriff Heckman has no further comment. They came back last week, and he said there is a lot going on with the case right now.


Sheriff’s Dept. Investigating Platte Valley Auto Sales Fraud Allegations

In Breaking, Crime, On and off the Apron on September 7, 2012 at 11:33 am

Sheriff Rory Heckman said this morning that the Sheriff’s Department is in the middle of its investigation of alleged fraud perpetrated by Platte Valley Auto Sales owner Dave Purchase and his sister Brenda Purchase.

Asked if any arrests were planned, Heckman said, “We are right in the middle of an investigation right now as we speak. It’s a little premature for me to predict any outcome but I can say that the Sheriff’s Department is investigating.”

According to Heckman, Judge James Batzer issued the order to impound all vehicles on the site: “He issued a restraining order for all property, including the vehicles, to stay on the property and not be removed or tampered with in any way.”

The Sheriff’s department has fielded several calls already from people who have purchased or financed vehicles through Platte Valley Auto Sales or have consigned vehicles for sale there.

The Top Man: Sheriff Race ’12

In Crime, Politics on July 25, 2012 at 1:08 pm

At press time, three Republican candidates were to meet in the August primary, seeking to serve as our county sheriff for the next four years: Dave Casey, Blair Moss, and Ted Schendel. We were not able to obtain a response to our interview questions from Mr. Casey, but here we offer the discussions we had with Mr. Moss and Mr. Schendel. In addition, Coury Carland confirmed July 24 by text message that he’ll be on the ballot as an independent in November. According to the League of Women Voters, the sheriff’s salary is $52,659 and includes a full range of benefits.

By Morgan Feger

Elberta Alert How long have you lived in the Benzie area?

Blair Moss Well, I was born in 1955, so 56 years I have been in the community, and I intend to stay here, not moving or going anywhere.

Tell us about your work history. When I got out of college from MSU in 1979 my background was in education. I wanted to come back to this area, but teachers were a dime a dozen. While still in school in 1977 I got a job at the [Benzie] sheriff’s department as a marine officer, and when I got out, in ’79, it developed into the next 17, 18 years. Although it was seasonal work Read the rest of this entry »

Questions for Sheriff Candidates

In Crime, Politics on June 5, 2012 at 9:35 pm

Ahead of the League of Women Voters candidate forum, sometime in July (TBA here), the Alert asked several community members what they’d ask the candidates if they could. Here are the results, in no particular order. If you have additional questions, please post them in comments here or on the Facebook page.

QUESTIONS FOR SHERIFF CANDIDATES

• When will the Terry Sutter case be solved, and also the Luedtke fire? If the dept. is not able to resolve [these cases], are they willing to turn the investigation over to an agency that would bring them to a conclusion?

• What are your thoughts on the Village of Elberta’s problems with beach and dune driving, and excessive speeding down M168? How would you help?

• How do you feel about the amount of time currently served by convicted criminals in Benzie County?

• How long have you lived in the Benzie County area?

• Have you worked for the Benzie Sheriff’s Department, and if so, for how long? What was your reason for leaving?

• How would you rate your overall record with the Sheriff’s department as a police officer?

• How do you anticipate the difference between being a standard police officer and being sheriff?

• Tell us about your family life.

• Is heterosexual marriage an important title/bond to you?

• What are your thoughts on gay marriage?

• What changes would you make to the Sheriff’s Department?

• In what ways has Rory Heckman done a good job?

• What do you think of the close election last year between Rory Heckman and sheriff hopeful Brant Downing?

• If you had been sheriff at the time of the Luedtke tragedy, how would you have handled the case?

• What role does social media play in today’s sheriff’s department?

• What will the word “transparency” mean to you as sheriff in regard to the Benzie County Sheriff’s Department?

• Do you believe there is a need for more community media, radio, newspapers? How would you make use of local media?

• Elberta Beach: Should the two tracks [current off-road trails] be left available for the public to enjoy/use?

• What is your favorite thing about living up north?

• What is your biggest fear/concern for the Benie County area?

• Who would you rather have coffee/conversation with, Michael Jackson, Jerry Garcia, Michael Vick, or Ellen Degeneres?

• What is your stance on the decriminalization of marijuana?

• Given our budget constraints, what are some ways in which you would stretch our taxpayer dollars in terms of crime prevention?

Memorial Day Bike Theft

In Crime, Foghorn on May 29, 2012 at 1:27 pm

It was a not so nice Memorial Day for one local vet: Bill Buck’s new three-wheel bike was taken sometime between last night (Memorial Day Monday) and this morning. The bike was in the Bucks’ yard right by their house on Washington Avenue. They would very much appreciate its return! Among other things, the bike (red, smallish, basket on the back) was helping the 81-year-old get some exercise—he suffers from arthritis. Looks like our neighborhood-watch team needs some drilling. Please send any info to elberta.alert@gmail.com, or call the Sheriff, who has been notified.

Road Blocked to Beach Driving

In Crime, E Beach, Open Season on April 24, 2012 at 1:24 pm

A barrier has been placed at the end of Elberta Beach road as of this morning. The action was prompted by a rash of calls and complaints about beach and dune driving, including several new paths cut, over the past few weeks. This barrier is a temporary measure until a more permanent solution can be found. Driving on the beach off the designated road is a state and federal offense, as the dune is a protected wildlife area. In addition, the property beyond the road is private.

Beach Driving

In Crime, E Beach, Infrastructure and Planning, Open Season, Uncategorized on November 3, 2011 at 12:28 pm

On November 2 a meeting was held among Village leaders, the sheriff’s department, three local property owners, and three conservation officers including Robin Schmitt from the DNR to discuss the problem of off-road driving on Elberta Beach. By federal and state law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle outside the parking lot or off the public roadway that runs several hundred yards at the base of the dunes. Several options were discussed, according to Council member Diane Jenks, and no decision has been made on how to deal with the problem. “It’s not our decision to make,” said Jenks. In regard to one of the options, conservation officers will look into the possibility of federal grant money to fund a demarcation along the beach road. The nature of the demarcation has not been determined. Permitting will likely be required for any measure taken, because of the critical dune status of the area.

M-168: Life on the Straightaway

In Crime on August 12, 2011 at 2:28 am

In her hometown of Hartland, MI, Michele Cannaert got used to the sound of squealing tires. “It was the same as here,” she said, referring to the conjunction of M-22 and M-168. “Three corners. You’d hear the squeal and then wait to hear the crash.”

At about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Michele heard the sound of tires skidding, followed by the anticipated boom, but when she looked out her window above the Conundrum Café, all was dark, with no vehicles, or anything really, in sight. “I thought maybe someone hit a deer and then drove off again.”

The Alert contacted Sheriff Rory Heckmann midday on Thursday to check on the police report. The sheriff said a young man was arrested after the incident and charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of an accident. At least one passenger was in the vehicle. The young man spent the rest of Wednesday night in jail and left after posting bond on Thursday. His name will be released once the prosecutor issues the warrant. No injuries were reported. The sheriff said his department had come to the scene in response to two phone calls about the accident.

Neither of those calls was from Michele. “I had just called them earlier that night about a kid Read the rest of this entry »

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