The Niles Police Department received heavy praise from members of the Niles City Council for the way it handled the recent stabbing at the Niles Amtrak station.

Niles police boarded the train and subdued a man that had stabbed three passengers and one Amtrak employee Friday evening before the suspect could hurt anyone else.

“I thank Chief (Jim) Millin and officer Daniel for their swift response handling a situation that could’ve been worse than it turned out to be,” said Mayor Mike McCauslin during Monday’s council meeting.

The mayor also thanked the fire department and other public safety officials for their role in securing the area and helping the victims.

Niles Police were the first to respond to the scene after hearing a report of a passenger acting strange.

Officer Shane Daniel moved through passengers fleeing the train in order to engage the suspect and take him down with a taser gun.

The suspect, 44-year-old Michael Darnell Williams, of Saginaw, was charged Monday with four counts of assault with intent to commit murder. He is being held on $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear Friday in Niles court for a preliminary examination.

“I thought the police force did us proud,” said councilman Tim Skalla.

Marie Weimer, who attended the meeting, also praised Niles police for their quick action.

“It shows what a good force we have and that they are well trained,” she said.

Also Monday:

• The council set a public hearing for 5:50 p.m. Dec. 15 to receive input on proposed rate adjustments to the city’s electric, wastewater and water utilities. The council is considering raising the average utility user’s electric rate by 6.5 percent, water rate by 5 percent and the wastewater rate by 4 percent.

• The council approved the purchase of two digital patrol car cameras for the police department at a cost of $13,979 from Watch Guard Video, of Allen, Texas. Millin, when asked if he is considering body cameras for his police officers, said he would consider it if the council wants to go in that direction.

• The council re-appointed John Klimek to the Niles Board of Public Utilities effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.