By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
NILES – During Monday night's Niles Charter Township board meeting, representatives from the Berrien County Sheriff's Department made attempts to calm fears and address concerns of residents in regards to recent reports and claims of rampant burglaries in the area.
And they honored one of their own.
Deputy Roger Johnson was recognized Monday night by Sgt. Randy Miller and Sheriff Paul Bailey, of the Berrien County Sheriff's Department for his work focusing on drug problems within the area. According to Miller, Johnson has "led 74 investigations … which led to 55 arrests."
Miller added that Johnson "has been very active in working with other local law enforcement agencies," including the Michigan State Police and Niles City Police departments in investigating and apprehending for crimes revolving around drugs in the area.
"For his hard work," said Miller. "I'd like to acknowledge him with this Certificate of Accommodation … You are a fine example to your fellow officers." The deputy graciously thanked his superiors.
The award for Johnson came just before Miller and Bailey presented the commissioners with their monthly report of activity within township lines – and they addressed the recent concerns of residents about reports and claims of multiple burglaries and incidents of home invasions.
According to the monthly report – the department for the month of April worked 372 complaints within the township and 31 arrests were made. By the end of May, the report states that 129 arrests were made by the Narcotics Unit alone.
In attendance for the discussion about current crimes within the township, were Detective Lieutenant Dave Chandler and Detective Sgt. Fred Laesch.
"It was my understanding," said Chandler. "That there was a concern," regarding a series of breaking and entering incidents that were taking place in the township around the Bell Road and Bond Street area. "This is still an ongoing investigation."
According to information provided by the department, nine cases of home invasions in Niles and Buchanan Township have been handled since April 10. The Berrien County Sheriff's Department is working to develop suspects with the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department in Indiana which, just over the state line, have been experiencing their own rash of breaking and entering cases.
"They were really rampant," Chandler said. But he added that he believed "the majority of the daytime burglaries," had come to an end. Chandler also informed the board that multiple suspects were just recently taken into custody regarding an incident of home invasion on May 2. The property, found on May 30 through a search warrant by the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department, was identified as that which was stolen during home invasions in Buchanan and Niles townships.
According to Sheriff Bailey, with estimated populations of 14,000 in Niles Township and 300,000 in South Bend, Ind. – perpetrators have the ability to bounce between townships – making for cases that are a little more complicated to solve.
"It's a team effort," said Bailey, acknowledging the relationship between the BCDS and area law enforcement officials.
Bailey added that in addition to all of Johnson's accomplishments, he had also made an arrest that night – recovering around $2,000 worth of electronics.
During the meeting Monday night, the board also held a moment of silence for former mayor and Commissioner Larry Clymer, who passed away that morning. Bailey also made mention of Clymer, saying "he was a good friend of mine."
And the township heard complaints by residents of Bon-Aire apartments about drain issues regarding their facility at 17th and Cass streets. Flooding has been a major problem for those residents due to poor draining. But the apartments sit in a peculiar position – hitting city and county lines – leaving the board to suggest that the residents take their concerns to the city council's next meeting.