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Police & Fire

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Guide Dog Back to Work After Being Attacked by Pit Bull in Downtown Royal Oak

Witness from Wyandotte describes seeing the pit bull pinning the guide dog to the ground by the throat.

A guide dog is back to work after being attacked by a pit bull Saturday on Main Street in Royal Oak. “The dog is showing no lasting effects,” said Rochelle Kniffen, director of communications and marketing for Leader Dogs for the Blind of Rochester Hills. The blind client and instructor working with the dog are also doing fine, she said. The pit bull broke loose from a 10-year-girl staying with the dog in the sidewalk cafe of the Burgrz restaurant, 410 S. Main. “I heard the girl scream and looked up to see the pit bull scrambling after a seeing eye dog and a blind man who were passing by," Lana Louys of Wyandotte, who was dining at the restaurant’s outdoor area, told the Daily Tribune. "The pit bull pinned the (guide) dog to the ground and…

In this Article:

Leader Dogs for the Blind (in Rochester-Rochester Hills Patch)

Brad E.

11:23 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Because that seems to be the trend on this forum amongst all the TOTALLY level-headed, objective commenters.   more ›

Friday, May 18, 2012

Police Blotter: Juvenile Exposes Himself on Beaumont Elevator, Thefts and More

The following information was supplied by the Royal Oak Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Highlights from Royal Oak Police reports for the week of May 10-17: If you have any questions about this report, email Judy.Davids@Patch.com.

In this Article:

William Beaumont Hospital

William K. Sayre

1:44 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012

I like your map. Even better would be a larger map with different colors showing the type and location of crimes over a longer period of time. Deterrence begins with knowledge.   more ›

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Royal Oak Firefighters Called to Assist a Massive Fire in Ferndale

Flames burst through the roof of Van Industries on Thursday morning, sending up plumes of smoke seen for miles. No injuries reported.

Royal Oak firefighters were called in to assist a massive fire at Van Industries in Ferndale Thursday, which sent smoke billowing from the area that could be seen for many miles away. No injuries were reported. The company at 1285 Wordsworth – about half a mile north of Eight Mile Road near the railroad tracks east of Hilton – manufactures sanding, buffing and polishing products.  Flames burst through the roof of the commercial building before 11 a.m. Thursday. The Royal Oak Fire Department sent a ladder truck, engine truck, ambulance and seven firefighters. Assistant Chief, Kevin Pierzynski was also on the scene. "We were there for about two hours until the fire was under control," said Capt. Tom Kelly, of the Royal Oak Fire Department. …

PHOTOS: Royal Oak Police Department Participates in Regional OakTAC Training Exercise

Several Oakland County law enforcement agencies were involved in the Oakland County Law Enforcement – Tactical Response Coordinating Group (OakTAC) exercises Wednesday in Auburn Hills.

  • POLICE & FIRE
  • Thursday, May 17

The following information was supplied by the Troy Police Department. Photos courtesy of Jim Klynstra. This Wednesday, the Oakland County Law Enforcement Tactical Response Coordinating Group (OakTAC) conducted a joint small squad tactics and crowd control training exercise at the CREST Facility on the campus of Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills. The exercise highlighted some of the newest equipment obtained in conjunction with two successful federal grant applications submitted by this recently formed work group.  The OakTAC group is composed of members from the following Oakland County law enforcement agencies: The history of this group dates back to 2009 when Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard hosted a meeting that …

In this Article:

Royal Oak Police Department

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

City Commissioner Wants to Re-Ignite Royal Oak Neighborhood Watches

Fox 2 anchor and reporter Ron Savage will moderate the first Royal Oak Safe Neighborhoods Community Dialogue on June 27.

“By nature, police are reactive,” Royal Oak City Commissioner Peggy Goodwin said. “They aren’t always going to be in the neighborhood every time something bad happens, so we need to learn how to help prevent crime.” To that end, Goodwin, who is the first city commissioner to sit on the Crime Prevention Council, is on a mission to re-ignite neighborhood watches. A consultant, Goodwin is spearheading first Royal Oak Safe Neighborhoods Community Dialogue on June 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Royal Oak Middle School Auditorium.  “We are trying to create a heightened understanding of how residents can interface with law enforcement to prevent crimes,” Goodwin said. Part of the program will explain what a neighborhood watch is, how it works and …

In this Article:

Royal Oak Middle School

Comment_arrow

Brad E.

2:57 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012

I'd like to respond to this comment, but I'm still trying to figure out what it says. You want everyone to have semi-automatic guns? The talk thier talk and walk thier walk? (by the way, those red squiggly lines under words means that you've misspelled them) If the actions of the mayor or the city commission are so egregious, they won't be re-elected. However, I suspect that because their actions…   more ›

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Police Blotter: Items Stolen from Homes, Cars

The following information was supplied by the Royal Oak Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Thefts dominated reports to the Royal Oak Police Department for this past week. If you have any questions about this report, email Judy.Davids@Patch.com

Comment_arrow

Ronald Wolf

11:23 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012

Debbie I think I love you, anyway you made my day. Many seniors are afraid to speak to power today. I could give you countless examples, the baseline for my beliefs comes from the terrible experiences my mom had when she was in various nursing homes for short stays with Alzheimers. One of the worse forms of senior discrimination is patronization by this industry and their often overworked …   more ›

Thursday, May 10, 2012

UPDATE: Ex-Royal Oak Police Officer Faces Child Porn Charges

'It took us all by surprise,' chief says. Michael Smith is expected to be arraigned this afternoon on 20 counts resulting from a state task force investigation, Michigan Attorney General's Office says.

A former Royal Oak Police officer was charged with 20 counts for the alleged possession and distribution of child pornography, the state Attorney General's office announced today. From September 2011 through January 2012, it is alleged that then-Royal Oak Police Officer Michael Smith, 41, of Holly, downloaded and possessed child pornography on his personal home computer. Smith allegedly distributed some pornographic images to other users through a public Internet file-sharing network, according to a news release from Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. Smith’s bond was set at $50,000, 10 percent allowed, during arraignment Thursday afternoon in front of 52-2 District Judge Kelly Costin, the Oakland Press reported. He was expected to …

In this Article:

Royal Oak Police Department

Ronald Wolf

9:36 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012

As I said I do not know if it is because RO is closer to Detroit River water this town's police force has a checkered history that has been costy for the taxpayer as well. Police are human, the sensitivity of their work coupled with the stress of having to be there when someone has just passed, sometimes not always under the best circumstances makes this a job that is obviously not suited for …   more ›

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Lights and Sirens: Zoo Conducts Tornado Disaster Response Capabilites

Public safety from Royal Oak and Huntington Woods among first responders at the Detroit Zoo on Wednesday morning as part of a drill to ensure the park is 'Storm Ready.'

The lights flashing on fire trucks at the Detroit Zoo early Wednesday morning were part of a severe weather and mass casualty safety drill. No one was really injured in the 90-minute exercise that tested multiple public safety units – including those from Royal Oak and Huntington Woods – as well as the Detroit Zoo's security team. In a simulated scenario, a tornado and high winds whipped through the zoo at 7:25 a.m., touching down at the Artic Cafe. A 911 call was made at 7:30 a.m. Royal Oak Police arrived five minutes later; Royal Oak fire trucks arrived in 10 minutes. In the simulation, several trees and electrical wires were downed and 13 individuals, including staff and guests, sustained injuries and were either triaged or transported …

In this Article:

Detroit Zoological Park, Update: Detroit Zoo is Open on Labor Day, Few Disruptions, Royal Oak Police Department, and 2 more ›

DTE Moves to Improve Wire-Down Communication System After Royal Oak House Fire

After taking almost 1 1/2 hours to arrive to cut down power lines that fell on a Royal Oak house last summer, DTE has initiated a project it hopes will improve communication and response time in wire-down incidents.

A DTE initiative to improve communication in wire-down situations is expected to lead to changes in the system this summer, according to a Royal Oak official who pursued the issue after a Royal Oak home was destroyed by fire last summer. Mayor Pro Tem Patricia Capello told Royal Oak city commissioners Monday that  DTE has initiated a project to develop a unique outage type for active house fire calls in the company's communication system. Last August, a Royal Oak couple returned from a trip up north to find their home badly damaged by fire after live power lines fell on their house. Royal Oak firefighters were called to the scene on Woodslee, the first block south of 13 Mile Road, at 3:15 p.m. Aug. 28 when neighbors noticed the two downed …

In this Article:

Royal Oak Home Badly Damaged in Fire and Royal Oak Fire Department

Ronald Wolf

9:25 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

That this will help other communities as well is a feather in Royal Oak's Cap. However, like Cal I am dubious that DTE will give priority to saving homes in Royal Oak while Detroit plans to save money by letting vacant homes burn, What happenned to the immigrant family that was uninsured? That is what I would like to know. It seems to me someone is responsible for their loss.   more ›

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

City Approves Tentative Agreement with Royal Oak Police Units

Mayor Jim Ellison calls the deal with bargaining units a 'life-changing event' for the city.

The City Commission approved a tentative agreement with Royal Oak police detectives and command officer units at its meeting Monday night. "Substantively, the agreements follow the model that was established by other public safety units in the city," said David Gillam, city attorney. Commissioners approved an agreement with Professional Firefighters Local 431 in March. The detective unit and command officer unit, which represent sergeants and lieutenants, have accepted two-year agreements that include: City Commissioner Jim Rasor praised the two units for stepping up to the plate saying, “Only when we all pull together can we get ourselves out of this financial calamity.” Mayor Jim Ellison called the agreements a “massive step forward” and…

In this Article:

City Approves Tentative Agreement with Royal Oak Firefighters, UPDATE: Suspect in Royal Oak Stabbing Death Arrested in Clinton Township, and UPDATE: Police Arrest 2 in Slaying of Royal Oak Woman

Debbie Campbell

7:46 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The campaign funding complaint filed by seventeen RO residents against Rasor’s slate-- Dubuc and Fournier is still under investigation by the Secretary of State. The Lansing based PAC-Citizens for a Better Tomorrow that funneled anonymous money into their campaigns has an ever growing list of filing violations and fines. We may never know who paid to get a majority voting block on our commission…   more ›

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Most Popular Articles

  1. Guide Dog Back to Work After Being Attacked by Pit Bull in Downtown Royal Oak
  2. Police Blotter: Juvenile Exposes Himself on Beaumont Elevator, Thefts and More
  3. City Commissioner Wants to Re-Ignite Royal Oak Neighborhood Watches
  4. Police Blotter: Items Stolen from Homes, Cars
  5. Royal Oak Firefighters Called to Assist a Massive Fire in Ferndale

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