
Wednesday, February 24, 2010:
The Hamburg Township Board of
Trustees ratified a four year contract today with both the
command and patrol units of the Hamburg Township police department.Click
here to view a .pdf file summary of the contract details.
Hamburg Township Police
News Media Alert
October 12, 2009 |
Press Conference
The Hamburg Township Police Department, Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Field Division, and
Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team (LAWNET)
will host a joint press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday,
Oct. 13 in the meeting room at the Hamburg Township
Hall, 10405 Merrill Road, Hamburg, Mich.
Law enforcement officials will announce the arrest
of approximately 50 persons involved in the trafficking of heroin
and other dangerous drugs in Livingston County and southeastern
Michigan.
Additional details to be released at press conference. Discs
containing digital photos of those arrested will also be available.
For additional information or questions, contact
Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano at 810-231-9391 or sluciano@hamburg.mi.us.
Incident # I7-09-0122 Narcotics Investigation |
9/10/2009 - Heroin Use Becoming Epidemic
Heroin use is on the rise and Hamburg Township Police are concerned
abou the rapidly increasing incidents of possession and ue of the drug.
"For years, we rarely saw heroin in the township," said Hamburg
Township Police Sgt. Pat Debottis. "It's not just an inner city
problem anymore, we're finding it in our neighborhoods and I'm very concerned."
Unlike the 1960s and '70s when it was typically only taken by hardcore
users, heroin today is cheaper and more readily available and quickly
becoming the drug of choice among those who use illegal substances.
Hamburg Township began seeing an increase in heroin investigation sin
2007 with six reported overdoses. The increase continued in 2008, resulting
in two heroin overdose deaths. The trend appears to be continuing in
2009 with two more heroin overdose deaths this year to date. Similar
patterns emerged through the area, so law enforcement leaders gained
the support of the Drug Enforcement Administration Detroit Field Division
which opened a "Priority Target Case" in Livingston County.
The cooperative investigation includes investigators from the Livingston
and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Of particular concern is the increasing use of the drug by teenagers
and youn adults. "It's impossible to know the purity of street heroin,
which dramatically increases the danger of overdose," said Debottis.
Heroin is highly addictive and expensive. Habitual users are known to
lie, cheat and steal from anyone necessary to get money they need to
buy the drug, Debottis said.
Heroin is an off-white powder that can be somewhat brownish in color.
It's typically found wrapped in folded paper packages called bindles.
Parents, teachers and others should be aware of the signs of heroin
use, such as a change in appearance and personality, association with
a different group of friends and the constant need for money. That need
for money causes addicts to commit crimes against family, friends or
other easy targets.
"You can't believe the shock and despair on a parent's face when
you tell them their kid has overdosed on heroin. The return of heroin
is real, it's dangerous, and everyone needs to be aware of it," said
Police Chief Steve Luciano.
For additional information or questions regarding this news release,
contact Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano. 810-231-9391.
09/07/2009 - Armed Robbery
On Sunday, September 6th 2009 at 11:20 p.m. Hamburg township officers
were sent to the Marathon Gas Station at 7620 East M-36. The store Clerk
was doing inventory behind the counter when a "petite" female
came in and pointed a black semiautomatic handgun at him and demanded
money. The clerk began filling a bag that was provided to him by the
robber with cash from the register. As the bag was being filled the robber
began to help herself to cartons of cigarettes.
After taking the money and merchandise the robber fled on foot. She
is described as 5'0" to 5'2" tall, and weighing 100 to 110
pounds. She was wearing black pants and hooded sweatshirt with a tan
baseball cap. She had a black mask covering the lower portion of her
face and was wearing white latex gloves on her hands. A Livingston County
K-9 officer tracked the suspect to Hall Road near Forest Creek Court
where the scent was lost.
The Hamburg Township Police are offering a $500.00 cash reward for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for this
crime. Anyone having information about the crime can contact Officer
Alysha Garbacik at 810-231-1000 Ext. 459.
Media questions or inquiries regarding this news release may contact
Hamburg Township Police Sergeant Gary Harpe at 810-231-9391.
07/30/2009 - Possible Drowning
On Thursday, July 30t, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. Hamburg Township Police Department
and Hamburg Township Fire Department were called to Baseview Drive, located
on Base Line Lake, to investigate a possible drowning. A 54 year
old man and his 24 year old son were fishing from a canoe. The
canoe overturned and began to capsize. The father was able to hold
onto the canoe for safety. His 24 year old son went under the water
and did not surface.
The Livingston County Dive Team was activiated and had rescue divers
in the water immediately upon their arrival. The victim, Andrew Gravitt
from Westland, was located in a depthy of approximately fifteen
feet of water. He was removed the water at 5:10 p.m. at which time
recessitation efforts began. The victim was transported to the
University of Michigan Hospital by Survival Flight and is listed in critical
condition at this time.
For additional information or questions contact the Hamburg Township
Fire Chief Doug Berry at (734) 878-9513 or Hamburg Township Police
Sergeant Gary Harpe at (810) 231-9391.
Hamburg Police Officer Recognized For 25 Years Of Service

WHMI 93.5 FM - 5/20/09 - A Hamburg Township Police
officer was given a distinctive honor Tuesday night. Officer Brian
Medbury (at right in picture with Chief Steve Luciano at left) was
recognized for 25 years of service to the department, the first officer
within the department’s 30 year history to achieve that. Sgt.
Gary Harpe nominated Medbury calling him a “fixture” in
the community and added that his “dedication is an honor to our
department and community.” Officer Medbury, who was presented
with a mantle clock commemorating the event, said he plans to serve
another five years with the department. (JK)
News Release: May 7, 2009 - Drunk Driver Is Lucky To Be Alive
A 22 year old man from Dexter, Michgian narrowly escaped death Wednesday
evening when he crashed the 1996 Mercury Sable he was driving into a
tree. The Hamburg Township Police Department was sent to Strawberry Lake
Road near East Lake Drive at 8:10 p.m. when neighbors called 911. Officers
followed skid marks over 300 feet off the road and found the car wrapped
around a tree with the driver staggering next to his car. Witnesses told
police they saw the car traveling at over 100 mph before the crash.
The 22 year old driver was transported to St. Joseph Ann Arbor Hospital
by Livingston County Ambulance where he is in stable condition. "When
I saw the damage I could not believe anyone survived," said Officer
Tony Wallace. "This is one of the most violent crashes I've ever
seen, and I wonder if th is kid realizes how lucky he is to be alive."
"We always see an increase in alcohol related accidents involving
young people at this time of year," said Hamburg Township Chief
Steve Luciano. "Parents need to talk to their kids about alcohol
and make sure they don't drink and drive or ride with anyone who does."
Preliminary indications are that the driver's blood alcohol level was
over three times the legal limit. Hamburg Township Police are pursuing
charges for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving,
and open alcohol in a motor vehicle.
MEDIA NOTE: Digital images of the crash will be made available by e-mail
to media who make a request to Carolyn Sanchez by email - csanchez@hamburg.mi.us.
For additional information regarding this news release contact Chief
Steve Luciano or Sgt. Gary Harpe @ 810-231-9391.
News Release: April 15, 2009 - Suspect Caught In Home Invasion:
Within the past few weeks Hamburg Township and other surrounding areas
have had multiple day time Home Invasions. On April 8, 2009 shortly after
noon Officer Brandon Bullock received a call of an attempted break in
that had just occurred on Stsrawberry Lake Road in Hamburg Township.
Once arriving at the home Officer Bullock spoke with the homeowner.
The homeowner told the officer that as he walked from the downstairs
to the front of his home he saw a man at his front door with a crow bar
in his hands trying to brak i n. Once the intruder saw the homeowner
he fled. The homeowner saw the intruder flee in a light colored Ford
car. the homeowner also said that there was a second white male involved
that was in the car. As the homeowner and Officer Bullock were talking
the homeowner said that the same man came to his home approximately a
week ago. During that time the man knocked at the door. The homeowner
answered the door. The man asked the homeowner if he was selling a bass
guitar on Craig's List. The homeowner told the man he did not have anything
for sale on Craig's List. The man at that point left.
On 4-13-2009 a suspect was developed with cooperation from Green Oak
Police Department, Washtenaw County Sheriff and the Michigan State Police.
After developing the information a photo lineup was developed. The victim
of the Home Invasion then came into the Hamburg Township Police Department
and identified the man from the photo line up. Michigan State Police
and Washtenaw County Sheriff Departments were able to find the man and
make an arrest on 4-13-2009. On 4-15-2009 charges were issued for Attempted
Home Invasion, Possession of Burglary Tools and Habitual Fourth on the
intruder.
At this time anyone with information on any other home invasions or
the second suspect are asked to contact Officer Brad Neff at Hamburg
Township Police Department at 810-231-1000 Ext. 308.
For additional information or questions contact Hamburg Township Sergeant
James Sanderson @ 734-341-3302.
INCIDENT #2009-0576 - PRESS RELEASE - MARCH 1, 2009 - Possible Drowning
On Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 4:53 a.m., Hamburg Township police officers
were called to the Hillpoint Drive boat launch, located on Ore Lake,
to investigate a possible drowning. A witness reported they saw an all-terrain
vehicle break through the ice.
When officers arrived they discovered the vehicle tire tracks leading
to a large hole in the ice. Under their weight the ice began to crack
and give way. All responding emergency personnel were forced to retreat
to the shoreline for their safety.
The Livingston County Dive Team and Hamburg Township Fire Department
were activated and had resuce divers in the water immediately upon their
arrival. The viction, Joseph Kratz (32 year old male), was located in
a depth of approixmately six to eight feet of water. He was removed from
the water at 6:02 a.m., at which time ressucitation efforts began. The
victim was transported to the University of Michgian Hospital and is
listed in critical condition at this time.
For additional information or questions contact Hamburg Township Fire
Chief Doug Berry at (734) 878-9513 or Hamburg Township Police Sergeant
Gary Harpe at 810-231-9391.
INCIDENT #07-003348 Attempted Abduction: PRESS RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 5,
2007: GIRLS LIED ABOUT ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION
The two teenage girls who reported an attempted abduction have now admitted
they fabricated the story. The 15 year old girls called Hamburg Township
Police on Saturday evening saying that a man tried to pull them into
a car when they were walking along Merrill Road. The girls gae a detailed
description of a suspect and described his features to a police composite
artist.
"We realized what the girls told us was unusual because it was
not typical of what we know about abductions," said Police Chief
Steve Luciano. "This isn't the kind of thing you like to question,
especially when it involves a potential risk to the safety of kids in
our community."
Hamburg Township Officers located surveillance video that recorded traffic
in the area the girls reported seeing the suspect's car. The girls were
re-interviewed after officers discovered the video failed to substantiate
what they had told the officers. They lied about the abduction because
they had been somewhere they weren't supposed to be.
The Hamburg Township Police Department will forward the case to the
Livingston County Prosecutor's Office for their review of charges for
filing a false police report which is a felony crime. For questions concerning
this news release, contact Chief Steve Luciano at 810-231-9391.
INCIDENT #07-1221: PRESS RELEASE: APRIL 15, 2007: MISSING PERSON -
POSSIBLE DROWNING INCIDENT
On Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 4:41 p.m., the Hamburg Police Officers
were dispatched to the North side of Ore Lake to investigate a reported
missing person & possible drowning of a 29 yr old white male.
The man is described as 5'11" 180 lbs wearing blue jeans and a
dark blue sweat shirt. The man was also wearing a hat with a light affixed
to the brim. The man was last seen on Saturday April 14th at 8:30 p.m.
paddling an orange kayak on the North side of Ore Lake.
The man is an out of State contract worker working in the Lansing area.
He was not familiar with Ore Lake or the lake's nuances. The man told
his friends that he was a skilled kayak operator; however, he was not
wearing a PFD (personal floatation device) at the time of his disappearance.
(It is recommended that everyone wear a PFD at all times on the water
regardless of personal experience or confidence.)
In cooperation with the Hamburg Township Police Officers, the Livingston
County Sheriff Dept., Hamburg Township Fire Department, Howell Area Fire
Department, Green Oak Township Fire Department, Metro Parks Police and
the University of Michigan Hospital Survival Flight helicopter are all
assisting in the search.
For additional information or questions, contact Hamburg Township Police
Chief Steve Luciano or Lieutenant Brian DeNoyer at 810-231-9391.
|