By Judy Reed

Officers injured in scuffles

Cedar Springs Police Chief Roger Parent’s reports to the Cedar Springs City Council the last couple of months noted at least two officers were injured while performing their duties.

The first incident occurred on February 27 about 10 p.m. Officers Paul Feutz and Jason Schaefer were on a call on S. Main Street in an upstairs apartment. When they attempted to arrest the individual involved in the disturbance, he started to struggle, causing the officers and the suspect to fall down a flight of stairs. Officer Feutz experienced some back and rib pain as a result of the fall, and was checked out at Butterworth Hospital. He was able to return to work and had no loss of work related to the injury.

The suspect, Joseph James Sturdevant, 23, of Kent City, was charged with two counts of resisting arrest/obstructing police. He also had six outstanding warrants on similar charges.

The second event happened Saturday morning, March 20. Officers were called to an address in because a woman had made a 911 call for help. When officers arrived, they realized the person was having mental health issues. She kept making 911 calls, even after officers were in the house with her. They tried to get her to stop, and because of her noncompliance, she was physically arrested. She was patted down, handcuffed and placed in the rear seat of the police car. Officer Schaefer noticed her poking holes in the seat with a small screwdriver, and officers attempted to use pain compliance measures to remove the tool from her hand. She twisted away, and scratched Officer Schaefer’s arm with it. He received a minor laceration and abrasions on his forearm. He was later treated at the hospital and received a tetanus shot. While in the car, the woman also managed to kick out the window. Chief Parent said he is seeking restitution in court for both the seat and window.

Chief Parent said those types of cases are the exception rather than the rule. “There may be some instances where injuries have not occurred because we have the Taser,” noted Parent. “But we don’t use it in every instance. These types of things just go along with the job.”

Statistics

Chief Parent reported again on statistics of crime in different areas of the city. He said that last month there were 264 calls, with 41 at Cedar Springs Mobile Estates, 12 at the apartments on Oak Street, 11 at Northland Estates, and 200 in other areas of the city.

“The perception is that the most crime occurs in C.S. Mobile Estates, but that’s not the case,” he said. “They only had 15 percent of the calls, and they have 25 percent of the population.”