A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
5
May 21, 2015
B
ELLEVILLE
- I
NKSTER
- R
OMULUS
Robbery suspect arrested
Citizens Academy participants ‘graduate’
Seventeen local residents
recently graduated from the
inaugural Citizens Academy.
The 14-week course was
designed to strengthen the bond
between the city Department of
Public Safety and the communi-
ty, according to a spokesman.
Some of the class members are
already active in Neighborhood
Watch groups and wanted to
continue to learn how to keep
their neighborhood safe and
cooperatewithpolice.
The Citizens Academy
offered Romulus residents and
business owners a better under-
standing of the inner workings
of both the police and fire
departments through instruc-
tion in their histories and orga-
nizational structures, the
spokesman continued. The
police department shared the
way crime patterns are predict-
ed and analyzed, crime scene
investigations, traffic enforce-
ment, use of force and commu-
nity policing techniques.
Students in the academy also
had the opportunity to interact
with police canines and the
police bomb robot, as well as
tour the 911 center and use
shooting simulators.
Firefighters provided a tour
of their headquarters and gave
interactive demonstrations of
the specialized clothing and
equipment utilized in firefight-
ing and vehicle extrication.
University of Michigan Survival
Flight also participated in the
academy by landing a helicop-
ter for students to have a “hands
on” experience while learning
about the Emergency Medical
Services offeredwithin the com-
munity. Students were invited to
attend the Fire Expo, a trade
show, as well as an aside to their
academy experience.
The April 15 graduation was
the culmination of the Academy
class, but graduates will likely
continue to be called upon by
department employees to serve
as volunteers in various capaci-
ties, the city spokesman said.
Based on the success of the
inaugural class, Romulus will
continue the program with a
second class currently being
planned for this fall. Interested
residents should contact the
mayor's office (734) 942-7541 to
register for the next session.
Seventeen Romulus residents recently celebrated their graduation from the Citizens Academy as local
officials congratulated them on their accomplishment. A second session is planned this fall.
Art smart
The Belleville Area Council for the Arts awarded the 2015 Senior Art Scholarship
to Somerton-Pheonix DeGraffenreid. DeGraffenreid is a senior at Belleville High
School and she plans to use her award to further her education at Alma College.
Arts Council President Doug Dalton presented DeGraffenreid with her award at
the Belleville High School Senior Awards Night recently. Applications for the
Class of 2016 Senior Art Scholarship Program will be available at the beginning
of the 2015-2016 school year.
strong message that any breech of ethics
won't be tolerated,” he said. “That's what
people deserve and expect.”
Thomas said that he had spoken with
nearly every officer in the department
and in his opinion the sworn officers were
open and receptive to his ideas about
training, equipment, a culture change and
the direction of the department.
“They know what's expected,” he said,
“but I must say this. The things I heard
about Inkster, I did not and have not seen.
The negative stigma Inkster has received,
just isn't deserved. This is a good depart-
ment with goodpeople.”
He's amanwho should know.
Thomas joined the Southfield Police
Department onApril 8, 1991. He served as
the director of public safety in Albion and
also worked at the Jackson Police
Department.
Thomas has extensive training in
police, fire and emergency management
operations and is a graduate of the
Michigan State Police School of
Management, the National Fire Academy
and the FBI National Academy, according
to credentials listed on the Southfield
website.
Thomas said he came to Inkster
because Inkster “choseme.”
“I sent out six letters and Inkster was
the first one to respond. Inkster called
twice and Ferguson (Missouri) called me,
but I had committed to Inkster.
“I'mduty bound bymy oath to the state,
the county and the City of Inkster to pro-
vide the best leadership I can for this
department,” he said.
Settlement
FROM PAGE 1
Tips from the public led Michigan State Police
to a suspect in a recent armed robbery in Inkster.
According to Michigan State Police, Second
District Special Investigation Section (SIS),
Kyrrah Carter, 23, of Romulus, has been arrested
and charged in the robbery and non-fatal shooting
at the Marathon gas station at the intersection of
Avondale and Inkster Road which occurred at
4:45 p.m. April 24.
Michigan State Police asked for help from the
public in identifying a suspect seen on surveil-
lance tapes. Tips led investigators to Carter, who
was arraignedMay 14 in the 20th District Court in
Inkster on charges including assault with intent to
murder, armed robbery, assault with intenet to do
great bodily harm less than murder, felon in pos-
session of firearm; assault witha dangerousweapon and felony firearms.
He received a $100,000 bond fromthe court.
State police said that without the cooperation of the Inkster Police Department and
the public, the crimemight have goneunsolved.
Kyrrah Carter
