Click here for other contact numbers       Dispatch:  269-657-3101       Admin:  269-657-2006      Jail Information:  269-657-2171

2010 Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec
2009 Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   May   Jun   Jul   Aug   Sep   Oct   Nov   Dec

Click on blue underlined links for more information.

Jul 2010

Door-to-Door, Countywide Dog License Compliance Check

Sheriff Dale R. Gribler advises that officers of the Van Buren County Animal Control and volunteer members of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office will be starting a door-to-door countywide dog license compliance check beginning in mid July, through August 2010.  The last time a dog license compliance check was conducted in Van Buren County was over 15 years ago.  Sheriff Gribler advised that the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners requested that the Animal Control Office conduct the license compliance check to ensure the dog population in Van Buren County is properly vaccinated and licensed pursuant to state statute and county policies. Van Buren County Administrator Doug Cultra stated “after 15 years, it is imperative that we conduct a dog census which will improve compliance and reduce the spread of rabies”.
     A license tag on your dog shows compliance with the rabies laws established by the State to protect the health and welfare of your pet and our community.  The license tag can also identify a lost dog, and can assist an Animal Control Officer in reuniting the dog back to its rightful owner. 
     If your dog(s) are not licensed, you must have your dog vaccinated for rabies or have a current certificate of rabies vaccination and complete an application for a dog license which can be downloaded from www.vanburencountysheriff.com, or may be obtained from the Van Buren County Treasurer’s Office, or the Van Buren County Animal Control Office.
     Michigan law requires that all dogs over 4 months old MUST have both a current rabies vaccination and a current dog license for each dog owned.  Individuals who are maintaining a dog(s) and do not have proper licensing and proof of rabies vaccination will be issued a citation during the license compliance check pursuant to Michigan compiled laws 287.266, which is a misdemeanor offense and typically carries fines and costs up to $100.00.
     The Van Buren County Prosecutor’s office supports this effort, and has granted the Van Buren County Animal Control officers authority to dismiss all citations that are issued provided that proof of licensing and vaccination have been submitted to the Animal Control Office within 10 days of the issuance of the citation.
     An individual who receives a citation for having an unlicensed dog during the compliance check and wishes to take advantage of the amnesty procedure, will need to bring their citation, proof of licensing and vaccination to the Van Buren County Animal Control Office within 10 days of the issuance of the citation.  The Van Buren County Animal Control Office is located at 58040 County Road 681, Hartford, MI  49057 and is open during the hours of:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Wednesday - 1 p.m.- 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday - 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Dog licenses may be purchased at:

    Van Buren County Treasurer’s Office
    219 E. Paw Paw St, Suite 101
    Paw Paw , MI

    Animal Control Office  
    58040 County Road 681
    Hartford, MI

    Al Van Humane Society
    73303 8th Ave.
    South Haven, MI 
   

Jun 2010

Enforcement of Boating Under The Influence Laws
To Be Stepped Up This Weekend - June 25, 26, 27, 2010
 

Operation Dry Water
Part of Nationwide Effort

          We want people to be safe and have fun while recreational boating, commented Sheriff Dale R. Gribler, but alcohol use has become the leading contributing factor in fatal recreational boating accidents.  We recommend that boaters avoid drinking alcoholic beverages at all times, and we will have zero tolerance for anyone found operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs on our waters.

       There will be arrests this weekend, and some boaters will face the consequences of boating under the influence, added Sheriff Dale R. Gribler, but we'd much rather arrest someone than to have to tell their friends and family they're never coming back.

Contact Person:  Sgt. Chad Jahr, Marine Division, Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, 205 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw, MI  49079, (269) 657-3101 Ext. 3995, email.
 

May 2010

Police Officer's Memorial Service
May 11, 2010
on the steps of the
Van Buren Co. Court House
Paw Paw MI

6:30 p.m.

Click here for detailed service agenda.

 UPDATE 
Homicide Sentencing - Juanita Lucille Jackson, black female, 49 years of age

Incident No:   08-84574 
Today's Date:  May 10, 2010.
Victim:  Bruce Allen Woody, black male, 47 years of age.
Date of Original Incident: October 05, 2008

Apr 2010

Mar 2010

March 26, 2010

     Sheriff Dale R. Gribler announces that the Van Buren County Sheriff Office will once again be conducting boating safety/personal water craft classes for the spring/summer of 2010.
     Public Act 451, Part 802:324.80215(4) state, “A person who was born after December 31, 1978 shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state unless he or she first obtains a boating safety certificate.”
     Class dates are as follows: 

 May 22, June 5, June 26, July 10, July 24, July 31, August 7 

     All classes will be held on Saturdays from 8:00am to 3:00pm at the Lawrence Township Community Services Building located at 202 North Paw Paw Street, Lawrence.
     Although there is no charge for this class, pre-registration is required by contacting the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at 657-2006 Ext. 272 or by accessing the Sheriff’s Office website at www.vanburencountysheriff.com and following the instructions for the marine safety registration.
     Please have the following information ready:

• Date of class you wish to attend

• Name

• Address

• Phone

• Birthdate

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact Sgt. Chad Jahr of the Marine Division by calling 269-657-2006, Extension 272, or by email.

Meth Lab Dump Sites
March 22, 2010

      Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office Central Dispatch, along with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, are receiving numerous calls from citizens, regarding meth lab trash found along side of roads, open fields and wooded areas.   Now that the snow is gone, it is easier to notice these items on the ground.  Some of these items may have been there through the winter or just recently thrown there. 
     The items typically found are plastic 2 liter pop bottles used as gas generators, which can be either capped or have a tube sticking out from the bottle.  Even if they look old, once moved, they will start to react again and give off a hazardous gas.  Another item typically found are plastic Gatorade type bottles, which are used as the actual meth lab vessel.  These are generally capped containing the waste, after a cook is finished.  You will also find peeled batteries, used coffee filters, used bottles of drain opener, Lye and camp fuel cans.

     Sometimes these items are tossed out as a single item, but mostly these items are all in one trash bag.  No matter how long they have been there, these items pose a potential hazard to you. 
If you see an item you believe is meth related, do not touch it. 
If you see a trash bag along the road or even in a field, do not open the bag.  Once these items are disturbed, the reaction may begin again, giving off a hazardous gas.  These items also pose additional hazards by being caustic and flammable. 
    
If you believe you have located a meth trash dump site, stay away and contact authorities.   

Anyone with information can contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 657-3101, Crime Stoppers 1-800-342-7867, Silent Observer (269) 343-2100 or your local Police Department.

Supervisor Contact:
Bryan R. Stump D/Lt.  E-mail
Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office
Narcotics Unit
205 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, MI 49079

Phone (269) 657-3101 Ext 208, Fax (269) 657-5161

Van Buren Co. meets all FEMA Objectives During Testing
Friday, March 5, 2010

     At a briefing held this morning at Van Buren County’s Emergency Operation Center, FEMA revealed its preliminary exercise findings for all the participating counties and state offices that are affected by the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant located in Covert Township.
     These findings are the results of numerous exercises and demonstrations that Van Buren, Allegan and Berrien held over the course of three days starting March 1, 2010.
     According to FEMA’s representatives, Van Buren County met all the objectives that were required by FEMA and noted several areas that were found to be exceptional due to the involvement of many of the exercise participant’s actions. FEMA made similar comments in regards to Allegan and Berrien regarding their exercises.
     According to Lt. Alain Svilpe the following local agencies were involved with the Palisades exercises. Decatur/Hamilton Fire Department, Paw Paw Fire Department, South Haven Public Schools, Van Buren Chapter of the American Red Cross, Van Buren/Cass Health Department, Michigan Department of Human Services,  RACES, WSJM Radio, Van Buren ISD, Bangor Fire Department, Gobles/Pine Grove Fire Department , RACES, Lawrence Public Schools, Paw Paw Public Schools, Area Agency on Aging, Lakeview Community Hospital, Van Buren County Road Commission, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and numerous other county agencies and the Michigan State Police.
     Sheriff Dale Gribler stated he was proud of the all efforts that each participant put into this exercise period and noted that many hours of training and preparation took place to have this kind of result. 

By Lt. Alain E. Svilpe

2:45PM 3-5-10

Feb 2010

New Undersheriff Appointed for Van Buren County
Thursday, February 25, 2010

     On January 8th 2010 the Undersheriff position in Van Buren County became vacant with the retirement of Paul Edwards because of medical issues.
     After some deliberation, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Gabrielle Rought as Undersheriff for Van Buren County.  Gabrielle’s appointment became effective earlier this month.
     Undersheriff Rought has a Bachelors Degree from Grand Valley State University and obtained her law enforcement license from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.  Gabrielle began her career in law enforcement in 1997 in the Kalamazoo area and joined the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office in 1998 and has been assigned to our detective bureau from 2002 until her recent appointment.
     Gabrielle and her husband of 25 years, Rod, resides in the Paw Paw area with their two children, Justin and Jacquelyn.
     “I am extremely excited about Gabrielle’s new career in the Sheriff’s Office,“ said Sheriff Gribler.  Undersheriff Rought will bring fresh ideas, a tremendous work ethic, and forward thinking that is critical in these difficult times and for the future of our agency” added Sheriff Gribler.
     “I am excited about the future of our agency with goals and visions shared by myself and Sheriff Gribler.  During this transitional period, I plan to lead by example, provide encouragement to all, and build on a strong concept of teamwork,” said Undersheriff Rought. 

Update on fatal accident
February 25, 2010

Memorandum Determination

                     TO:  VBSD
                FROM:  Juris Kaps,
                            Van Buren County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
COMPLAINT NO:  #09-007474  Fatal Accident of September 26, 2009 in Antwerp Twp.
       Memo Date:  February 17, 2010

Monday, February 22, 2010

   Van Buren County Sheriff Dale R. Gribler is please to announce a joint program between his office and Entergy.  The program, funded by Entergy is administered by the Sheriff’s Office, is call CodeRED which is a reverse 9-1-1 system. 

Van Buren County Central Dispatch will have the ability to alert county residents by telephone of emergencies or public information throughout the county or the notification can be narrowed down to a specific area such as a subdivision. 

“This is a very exciting service we can provide to our residents,” said Sheriff Gribler.  “This can be used for a multitude of needs from evacuating areas, to locating a lost child or notifying our residents of criminal activity in an area,” the Sheriff further commented. 

Van Buren County residents, businesses and students are encouraged to register online to be personally alerted in the event of an imminent threat to health and safety – such as a chemical spill, nuclear power plant event, evacuation notice, bomb threat, boil water notification, or missing child alert- through the CodeRED program provided by Entergy’s Palisades Nuclear Power Plant located in Covert Township. 

The CodeRED system is capable of dialing 60,000 phone numbers per hour, making three attempts to connect any registered number and delivering a recorded message to a live person or answering machine within a specific geographic area or for the entire county. 

To register your phone number, click on the CodeRED icon on the left menu of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office website at www.vanburencountysheriff.com  Provide your name, address, primary phone number and alternative phone number to receive emergency notifications from the Sheriff’s Office.  Individuals without internet access can pick up a free CodeRED residential or business registration form at the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, 205 S. Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw MI or request a form by calling 888-273-8111. 

CodeRED notification is also recommended for individuals interested in receiving emergency information related to a specific Van Buren County address, such as for nearby relatives of an elderly or disabled Van Buren County resident. Information from the CodeRED registration will be managed on behalf of Van Buren County for authorized local emergency phone communications only and will not be used or sold for any other application.  

“The partnership with Entergy has been exceptional and I truly want to thank Entergy for their commitment to Van Buren County residents,” concluded Sheriff Gribler.

2009 Michigan Outstanding Citizen Corps Coordinator
Awarded to Van Buren Co. Sheriff's Office Volunteer

Sheriff Dale R Gribler is pleased to announce that Steve Starner has won the Outstanding Citizen Corps Coordinator for 2009. The award was presented at the Citizens Corp Coordinators Training Forum held in Traverse City on the 15th and 16th of December. The award was presented by Sgt. Kevin Sweeny and Matt Blythe of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management & Homeland Security Division.
           The Michigan Citizen Corps Program helps communities coordinate volunteers to prepare for and respond to local emergencies. It trains and engages volunteers to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to emergencies and disasters of all kinds, including threats of terrorism, natural disasters, crime, public health issues, etc. The support of Citizen Corps activities is especially important during major disasters when first responders may be initially overwhelmed. Citizen Corps activities are adapted to every community's needs and managed locally by a Citizen Corps Council. Citizen Corps encourage communities to engage every citizen in homeland security efforts.
          Steve Starner has been active with the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office as a volunteer for nearly ten years. 2009 is an exceptional year for Steve's service with our Department. In 2009, Steve became our Community Outreach Coordinator.  In this position, he took the lead in a number of county-wide programs, including Neighborhood Watch, CERT, Care Trak, Child Fingerprint-Photo, STOPPED, VIPS, and our Speakers Bureau. He has spent 925 hours this year in the development and implementation of these programs, along with being the Commander of our state award-winning Reserve Officer program.
          Reserve Program (VIPS) - Steve is one of the founding members of this group, formed in 2000, and for the last four years has been the unit commander. During this period of time, the unit has increased in size to its current 25 members and has donated over 6,000 hours of service to the citizens of Van Buren County in 2009. The unit performs many services in the county which allows Deputies to remain on patrol or offers services which otherwise could not be offered. The units work festivals, parades, fireworks, sporting events, township meetings and also provide the manpower for many other programs such as the STOPPED program, Fingerprint-Photo and Care Trak.
          STOPPED - For the third year in a row, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office has received the top state wide award for registrations of teen drivers in the STOPPED program. Van Buren County is the only county to have received this award from the Secretary of State in all three years of the programs existence. Steve has coordinated this program through the Reserve unit and local schools, health fairs and other events. Because of this success Steve was asked to provide training for other Departments around the state by the Michigan Sheriffs Association. (MSA is the sponsor of STOPPED) He also addressed the Sheriff’s Association quarterly meeting promoting the program to Sheriffs from the entire state.
          Neighborhood Watch - there are eight NW groups in the county and two more in the works. Steve attends all their meetings and provides training for the groups. He has developed presentations on the following subjects:  NW should your neighborhood be involved?; Observation Skills; Reporting Suspicious Activities; Target Hardening Your Home; ID Theft; Scams; Crime Prevention 101; Auto Theft; Travel Safety; Personal Safety; Disaster Planning for the Home; Home Safety; Meth; Drunk Driving; Distracted Driving; and Gangs. Steve continues to add and update presentations as needed. He also coordinates McGruff The Crime Dog appearances at meetings, picnics, parades and schools.
          CERT - Van Buren County is currently running its first CERT class; there are 44 people in the class which will finish in early December. Steve is the County CERT coordinator, as well as the lead trainer. He has worked to secure funding, materials, a place to hold the classes, find specialized instructors and keep records.
          Care Trak - Another new program for the county that targets people who may wander from their homes or care facilities due to Alzheimer's, Autism, Down Syndrome, and other special needs. Steve worked to coordinate the purchase, training, and implementation of the program. He has developed a presentation to demonstrate the need and operation of the program and has worked to find sponsors to pay for equipment so those who have a need for the equipment but don't have the means can still be taken care of. Steve is one of four people trained to track lost individuals and is the re-cert trainer for the department.
          Fingerprint and Photo – A new program for the county, this program has equipment to fingerprint and take a photo of children in case they separated from their parents. This record is supplied to the parent for safe keeping. Steve worked to obtain this equipment, set it up, and trains others in its operation.  Hundreds of kids have already been printed in the county. Many more events are scheduled in the coming months.
          Business Protection Seminar - This is a one day class for business owners-managers to help them protect their operations from fraud and theft. Sessions on subjects such as; security video, credit card fraud, check fraud, employee theft, robbery protection, currency counterfeiting, physical security devices, and disaster planning. All the material, promotion and arrangements were coordinated or devolved by Steve.
          Speakers Bureau - Steve has developed so many presentations for Neighborhood Watch and other groups that we have posted the availability of those sessions on our web site. Presentations can be made to business groups, civic organizations, schools, not for profit groups or any other group.
          Steve spends many hours representing our department at senior safety fairs, child safety fairs, and many other events around the county.  His knowledge and ability to work with the public and be a front person for the Department is invaluable. So many things have been accomplished and programs added because of his willingness to take on any assignment or suggest a program that we should be involved with. He is extremely dedicated to raising the quality of life for the citizens of Van Buren County.

Jan 2010

January 27, 2010 

Update

JURY FINDS RONALD VORE III GUILTY OF CSC 1st DEGREE

 Information:  Sheriff Dale Gribler reports that the trial of for Ronald Glenn Vore III, commenced on January 26th 2010 in the 36th Circuit Court before the Honorable William C. Buhl.
     The two day trial was presented by Assistant Prosecutor Michael Bedford. The jury received the case for deliberation early Tuesday morning, returning a guilty verdict before noon of guilty as charged in both counts. Vore III was in custody at the time of the trial.
     Sentencing is set for February 22nd  at 1:15 p.m. in the 36th Circuit Court, Paw Paw Michigan.

Incident #:  82544-08
Incident Type:  Criminal Sexual Assault
Date & Time:  July 28th, 2009  before 5:30 pm
Location of Incident: 43000 Block of M-43 Hwy, Waverly Twp, Paw Paw MI.
Victims Name:  Juvenile victims name withheld. She was 6 years old at the time of incident.
Suspect Name: Ronald Glenn Vore III  Male DOB 1/2/75. Lodged at the Van Buren County Jail
Criminal Charges:  CSC 1st Degree with person under the age of 13 yrs, CSC 2nd Degree with person under the age of 13 yrs.

January 20, 2010

Sheriff Dale R. Gribler reports that the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Detectives assisted the AFT Agents in this federal investigation over the past few months. The investigation has resulted in the indictment and arrest of Mr. Gray. Mr. Gray was taken into custody on the indictment yesterday morning at his place of business without incident. Mr. Gray made his appearance in the Grand Rapids Federal Court.

LAWTON MAN FEDERALLY CHARGED WITH UNLICENSED SALE OF FIREARMS
AND WITH SELLING A FIREARM TO A CONVICTED FELON

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Joseph Scott Gray, 40, of Lawton, Michigan, was charged with two federal firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis announced today. The first charge alleges that he engaged in the business of selling firearms without a license between October 15, 2008 and July 31, 2009. This is a felony offense under federal law, carrying a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and other penalties. The second charge against Gray is that he sold a gun to a convicted felon in violation of federal law. This is also a federal felony, carrying a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and other penalties. Gray has been arrested and brought before Magistrate Judge Joseph Scoville for his first appearance and released on a $15,000 bond.
    
     U.S. Attorney Davis commended the Van Buren County Sheriff Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives for its investigation of the case. This case is being prosecuted on behalf of the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy P. VerHey.

     The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Bryan R. Stump, D/Lieutenant
Van Buren County Sheriff's Office
Investigative & Narcotic's Units
205 S. Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw, Michigan 49079
Office (269) 657-3101 x 208
Fax (269) 657-5160
Tri-Net Office (269) 657-8296
email

January 13, 2010 - Linda Stermer trial and conviction.  Click here for details.

Dec 2009

Nov 2009

Michigan Telecommunicator of the Year
Awarded to Van Buren Co. Man

Sheriff Dale R. Gribler announces Dispatcher Chad Jahr, a four year veteran of Van Buren Central Dispatch, as the recipient of Michigan Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Telecommunicator of the Year for 2009 at the annual dinner held in Frankenmuth on October 22nd. Mr. Jahr was nominated for this prestigious award by Jeri Tapper, Director of the Central Dispatch Center for his leadership, dedication to public service, his commitment to excellence and customer service.
     Also receiving recognition with a Certificate of Excellence was Van Buren County Information Technology Director Shafeeq Hameed. His hard work and dedication in the public safety field as a leader and innovator is a vital asset to the 9-1-1 Operations Center.
     Sheriff Gribler states:  We are very fortunate to have such talented individuals working in Van Buren County that are recognized for their efforts by a statewide organization.

Sheriff Dale Gribler Offers Safety Tips For Hunting Season

Michigan’s field and forests will soon be alive with blaze orange hunting gear.  Sheriff Dale Gribler wants both visitors and residents of Van Buren County to know some important safety rules before setting out to deer camp. 

• Your hunting license and the identification used to purchase it (Michigan driver’s license, identification card, or DNR sport card) must be carried with you at all times while hunting.
• All hunters must wear an item of clothing (hat, cap, vest, jacket, or rain gear) in “hunter orange”, it must be the outermost garment; and it must be visible from all sides.  If it is camouflage, at least 50 percent of the garment must be orange.
• Hunting hours begin approximately one-half hour before sunrise and last until approximately one-half hour after sunset.
• Safety zones include all areas within 150 yards (450 feet) of an occupied building, house, cabin, barn, or other farm building.  You may not hunt in this area or shoot at any animal within this area, unless you have the written permission of the property owner.
• It is illegal to drink alcohol or use intoxicating rugs before hunting.

 Take the following precautions to prevent injury or death while hunting this season:

• Familiarize your self with the area where you will be hunting

• Never assume you are alone in the woods

• Never assume other hunters are acting responsibly
• If sitting against a rock or tree, make sure it is wider than your shoulders so you are not mistaken for a target
• Be 100 percent sure of your target before shooting.

Sheriff Gribler urges all hunters to act responsibly this season. 

 Reacquaint yourself with Michigan’s hunting laws and follow these safety tips to prevent a tragedy from happening this year.

New Equipment To Fingerprint And Photograph Children

      Sheriff Dale R. Gribler is pleased to announce that the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office has purchased equipment to fingerprint and photograph children.  This equipment was purchased from Sentry Technologies of Charlotte, NC and has proprietary printing and auto-capture features that allows for quick fingerprinting and photo capture.  The prints are captured electronically instead of using ink as in the past so there is no clean-up required.  From start to finish less than five minutes is required.  The $3,417 equipment was made available through a Public Safety Grant. 

Click here for details and why this is so important.

Oct 2009

Halloween Safety Tips

It’s that spooky time of year and Sheriff Dale Gribler wants to remind parents how to keep your child safe this Halloween.  The excitement of children and adults at this time of year can sometimes make them forget to be careful.

Teaching your children basic everyday safety will help make them safer when they are out Trick- or-Treating. 

• Not getting into cars or talking to strangers

• Watching both ways before crossing streets

• Crossing when the lights tell you to.

            These simple common sense safety tips can do a lot to stop any tragedies from happening.

	Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make the costume fire proof.  Make sure the eye holes of the costume are large enough for good peripheral vision.
	Children always want to help with the pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face of the pumpkin. There are many kits available that come with tiny saws that work better then knives and are safer; although be careful because you can be cut by them as well. It's best to let the children clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which you can carve for them.
	If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that children’s costumes won't accidentally be set on fire.
	Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or a pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.
	Make sure that your child can see well while trick-or-treating, including that their eyes are not covered by a mask or hat and that they are carrying a flashlight if it is dark.  Make sure also that your child is easy to be seen by others.  Have them wear a costume that is bright or has some reflective tape on it somewhere.
	Supervise young children (especially those under age 12) as they trick-or-treat; stay on sidewalks, use crosswalks and watch for traffic, etc.
	Have a plan for trick-or-treating, such as staying in the group, only going to houses that have lights on, not entering a house without supervision, etc.  This can help your children avoid safety hazards and help make sure they follow your rules
	Examine all of your child's candy for signs of tampering and to make sure it is all age appropriate such as no hard candy, which is a choking hazard for young children, etc.

Although Halloween is a fun time of year for kids, it is no fun to get hurt.  Members of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office want you to take some time to make sure your children have a safe, healthy, and fun Halloween.

Contact Information:
Lt. William Lux  email
269-675-2006

Van Buren County Awarded Federal Reimbursement from the

FY2009 SCAAP PROGRAM

     The U.S. Department of Justice announced the award of $4,458.00 to Van Buren County, MI, to reimburse some of the costs of incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens who have committed serious crimes in the United States.  The goal of this program is to enhance public safety in communities throughout the nation.
     This opportunity originates from federally mandated programs that the County is providing at local cost.  As many local entities are aware, the Federal Government drives local political entities to assume more responsibility for the administration and delivery of government services.  Many times these services are funded with local dollars.
     However, in some cases there are federal funding opportunities available, if the proper request is made.  Identifying federal funding stream opportunities and then properly applying for them are not simple or easy tasks.  The interaction between federal, state and local political entities is complex, and often unwieldy for most local political entities.
     An aggressive program of researching and applying for little known federal programs to supplement the local tax burden was implemented by engaging Justice Benefits, Inc. (JBI) for assistance.
     JBI is a public sector consulting firm located in Dallas, Texas, that specializes in locating and accessing hard-to-find federal reimbursements for local and state entities.  JBI does the research, gathers and analyzes the data, and completes all necessary information to be included in the application.  As a result of JBI’s expertise and experience, Van Buren County was able to maximize its dollar amount on this application.  Van Buren County was one of only 900 (out of 3,140) eligible local entities across the U.S. that successfully applied for these dollars. 

Lt. Robert A. Kirk
Jail Administrator
Van Buren County Sheriff's Office
205 S. Kalamazoo St.
Paw Paw, Mi 49079
Phone: (269) 657-2171 Ext. 260
Fax: (269) 657-7574
E-mail

Sep 2009

SHERIFF GRIBLER URGES RESIDENTS TO BUCKLE UP
AND DRIVE SOBER LABOR DAY WEEKEND 

     As families and friends come together from all over Michigan to enjoy this Labor Day Weekend, Sheriff Gribler urges drivers to be smart:   Buckle Up and Do Not Drive Impaired.  Deputies will be working hard this weekend in Van Buren County to stop impaired driving and enforce Michigan’s Seat Belt Law.
     During this high traffic time, it is especially important for travelers to wear their seat belts and refrain from using any substances that impair driving.  “Drivers who operate vehicles while they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol cost Michigan residents millions of dollars each year in lost time, lost property, and most importantly, lost lives,” said Sheriff Gribler.  “The greatest tragedy is that deaths due to impaired driving are preventable – these are not accidents.”
     Michigan is second in the nation in seatbelt use.  Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between seatbelt use and crash survival.  “Seatbelts save lives,” said Sheriff Gribler.  “Please remember to buckle up each and every time you get in your vehicle.”

Aug 2009

It’s that time of year… School Zones will soon be back in action as students begin the 2009-10 School year.  As a result, our roads get busy with school buses, parents opting to drive their children to and from school, and students walking or biking to school. To ensure a safe and successful school year, Van Buren County Sheriff Dale Gribler wants to remind parents and students of a few Back to School safety tips.  

Bus Riders 

• Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and off the street.

• Never sit on the roadway while waiting for your bus.

• Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his-her signal that it's okay to approach.

• Be aware of the street traffic around you. Protect yourself and watch out!

• While riding the bus, remain seated and conduct yourself in an orderly fashion. Aisles in the bus should remain clear.

• Don’t stick anything out side the bus windows.

Motorists

• Allow extra time to reach your destination and watch for cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, crossing guards and school buses.

• Both directions of traffic must stop when school bus stop arm(s) and flashing red lights are displayed.

• Be aware of the speed limit and your speed, especially in school zones and around schools. A speeding ticket in a posted school zone will cost double the usual speeding fine.

Walkers and Bike Riders

Parents:

• Take the time to carefully review your children's route to school before the first day and stress the importance of not wandering off.

• Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.

If your child is young or is walking to a new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely

Students on bikes:

• Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.

• Ride on the right; in the same direction as auto traffic (younger children should use sidewalks).

• Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.

• Walk your bike through intersections.

 Students walking:

• Mind all traffic signals and-or the crossing guard -- never cross the street against a light, even if you don't see any traffic coming. Learn what traffic signals and signs mean.

• Walk with a buddy.

• Wear reflective material...it makes you more visible to street traffic.

• Stay off the road.

• Never walk between parked cars.

Riding in a car

• All passengers must wear a seat belt and-or an age and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat. Michigan’s safety belt law is now primary – you can and will be stopped and ticketed for not wearing your safety belt. Drivers are responsible for their passengers under 16 years of age when it comes to proper safety belt and car seat use.

• Remember . . . many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school.  Parents should:

  • require seat belt use by the driver and all passengers,

  • limit the number of teen passengers,

  • not allow eating, drinking, cell phone conversations, or texting to prevent driver distraction,

  • limit nighttime driving and driving in inclement weather.

Dealing with strangers

• Always tell your parents where you are going and when you will return.

• Always walk with a friend. Don’t take shortcuts through woods or back streets.

• Never approach strange vehicles or people.

• Keep your distance and always give yourself room to run from strangers. Remember, strangers should always ask directions from adults not children.

• Never go with a stranger to look for a missing pet or to play a game.

• If a stranger follows or grabs you, yell loud and run away. If you need to, fight back and make as much noise as you can. Run to a safe place and call 9-1-1.

SUPERVISOR CONTACT:  Lieutenant William Lux (269) 657-2006

Jul 2009

Fireworks Safety
July 1, 2009

     Enjoying fireworks displays at dusk is synonymous with Fourth of July Celebrations, however, Van Buren County Sheriff Dale Gribler wants to remind area residents fireworks can be deadly.
     Last year more than 10,000 people were injured by fireworks, with children under the age of 15 accounting for one-third of those injuries. In Michigan, a Melvindale mother of three was killed on July 4, 2007 after being struck by a commercially made firework.
     There are two classes of fireworks. Class B fireworks are manufactured for use in the professional displays like the one put on in our local cities and villages. These fireworks are illegal in the state of Michigan without a permit. Class C fireworks are the kind commonly sold in stores for consumer use. Examples of Class C fireworks include paper caps, toy trick noise makers, sparklers, fountains, toy snakes and toy smoke devices. No permit is needed for these fireworks.
     If you are unsure whether your fireworks are class B or C, follow this one simple guideline:  if it makes a loud bang or leaves the ground, then it is illegal, said Sheriff Gribler. The most important thing you can do is to educate your family and set a good example.

Sheriff Gribler offers the following guidelines for the safe use of fireworks for at-home displays:

• Stay away from illegal explosives.

• Obey the local and state laws and USE COMMON SENSE.

• Read the fireworks instructions and follow them. If an item looks damaged, don’t use it

• Purchase fireworks only from reputable dealers or stores. Legal fireworks are tested as to quality and safety. Never attempt to build your own fireworks or use illegal explosives such as M-80’s or Cherry Bombs.

• A responsible adult should supervise all firework usage. When used properly, all fireworks can be safe.

• Fireworks are meant to be used one at a time. Do not combine or mix fireworks at the same time because fuses have different burn rates. Actions like this invite accidents.

• Use fireworks outdoors only, away from houses and vehicles.

• Never point or throw fireworks at anyone, including your pets.

• Remember alcohol and fireworks don’t mix.

• Use protective eye wear and keep a hose nearby. Don’t try to re-light a DUD, but soak it for 15 minutes and dispose of properly.

Let’s make the Fourth of July a safe holiday by exercising care and common sense when you use fireworks.

Dale R. Gribler, Sheriff
Van Buren County
205 S. Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw, Michigan  49079
(269) 657-2006