Crime

There's A New Sheriff On Belle Isle: Read The DNR Report On Police Stops

April 10, 2014, 4:42 PM

Since the state took over operations on Belle Isle Feb. 10, the understaffed Detroit police no longer patrol the island; those duties are now handled by the state conservation officers and state police.

WWJ has published a report from the state Department of Natural Resources that details traffic stops and arrests between March 16 and 31, and the results are interesting.

One driver had a half pound of marijuana in the car. Another had 34 misdemeanor warrants:

CO Dan Walzak observed a vehicle on Belle Isle traveling in excess of the speed limit.  The vehicle was pulled over and contact was made with the driver.  The driver stated that he was merely driving his girlfriend and her father around the island for her birthday.  A check of the occupants revealed that the father had one felony warrant and six misdemeanor warrants for his arrest.  The driver had 34 misdemeanor warrants for his arrest.  A verbal warning was given for the speed and both subjects were lodged on their respective warrants.  The girlfriend, with no warrants and possessing a valid driver’s license, was released to finish her birthday tour of the Island by herself.

Click here to read the complete report.

“So I hope that once the summer comes and people are coming to Belle Isle, they know the rules that are in place and what the restrictions are, and we’ll begin to see some stops become less and less,” Detroit City Councilman Andre Spivey told WWJ Newsradio 950′s Vickie Thomas.

WWJ reports:

There have since been some complaints from Detroiters about “random” stops made by state police and conservation officers on the island, but officers deny that, saying most of the stops are for speeding.

A ban is in place on drinking and drug use on Belle Isle, although police have said there won’t be extreme enforcement of the no-alcohol policy. For example, police said, a couple enjoying some wine with their picnic would likely be left alone.


Read more:  WWJ-AM


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