4/13/23: Tracking guns with software

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is using technology to help track gun crimes across the country. Also: Kalamazoo schools has set a timeline for its superintendent search. And it’s time to say “bye-bye” to the Bernhard Center.

News You Need To Know

KDPS using national network to solve gun crimes

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is one of three municipal departments in the state using special software to track and solve gun crimes. That puts the department ahead of many others when it comes to collecting and sharing forensic data on shootings. The National Integrated Ballistic Integration Network (NIBIN) was set up by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in 1999 in order to better connect guns used in multiple crimes. President Joe Biden recently issued an order requiring federal police agencies to increase their participation in the network.

Every gun leaves a kind of fingerprint on shell casings when they’re fired. What NIBIN does is tracks those fingerprints when they come up. That allows law enforcement agencies to tell when a particular gun has been used in multiple crimes in separate jurisdictions. Special Agent Jim Deir of the ATF told WOOD TV8 that the network could, for example, allow a department in Grand Rapids to connect the dots between a shooting there and a shooting in Detroit. “It encourages that dialogue between the detectives to share leads, share information, and to hopefully solve both crimes,” he said. [WOOD]

KPS sets timeline for superintendent search

Kalamazoo Public Schools intends to have a new superintendent in place by July. But first it has to conduct interviews. The district has set a timeline for those interviews, some of which will be conducted publicly. Beginning next Wednesday, the Board of Education will begin reviewing applications. From those applications, board members will pick a group of semi-finalists. They’ll interview those semi-finalists virtually on April 24 and 27. From those interviews, the board will pick a small group of finalists. Those finalists will appear in person on May 8 and 9 for a second round of interviews. Those interviews will be open to the public. Pending contract negotiations and a background check, the best candidate from the bunch will become the next superintendent. [WOOD]

A chance to say “bye-bye” to the Bernhard Center

Western Michigan University’s Bernhard Center has been the heart of student life for 65 years. But it’s days are numbered. The university is close to completing the construction of a new student center elsewhere on campus. Once that’s done, the Bernhard Center will be demolished. Students, alumni, and area residents will have an opportunity to say “bye-bye” to the Bernhard Center this afternoon in a special event being put on by the university.

The John T. Bernhard Center (as it’s formally known) was pretty fancy when it was first constructed in 1957. It had its own bowling alley, as well as a snack bar, a game room, and lots of offices and meeting spaces. Like all things, it has changed over the years as it has aged. Officials finally decided it was time for something new. The new student center is slated to open in July and will feature a brewpub, restaurants, shops, a game room, and a meditation room. But first people will get to say “Bye-Bye Bernhard.” The celebration will feature food, activities, and memories from 1 to 5 this afternoon. [MLive]

Things To Do In Kalamazoo

Bye-Bye Bernhard – WMU, Bernhard Center
10:00AM 4/13

Creative Wilderness w/Ladislav Hanka – Kalamazoo Nature Center
1:00PM 4/13

WMU We Talk with Bryan Newland, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs – WMU, College of Health and Human Services
3:00PM 4/13

Workshop: Broadsides – What have you got to say? – Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
3:30PM 4/13

Kalamazoo Civic Theatre’s 95th Season Announcement – Kalamazoo Civic Theatre
6:30PM 4/13

Live Music with Keith Scott Blues – Green Door Distilling Co.
6:30PM 4/13

Bored Teachers- We Can’t Make This Stuff Up Comedy Tour – Kalamazoo State Theatre
7:00PM 4/13

RCL Film Club: The Public – Richland Community Library
7:00PM 4/13

The Play That Goes Wrong – WMU, Shaw Theatre
7:30pm 4/13-15; 2pm 4/16

What To Send Up When It Goes Down – Face Off Theatre Co.
7:30pm 4/13-15, 2pm 4/16

Mead me at Valhalla – Comedy Open Mic Night – Valhalla Kalamazoo
9:00PM 4/13

Grand Rapids Comic-Con – Kalamazoo County Expo Center
12pm 4/14, 10am 4/15-16

Hip Hop with Speak It Forward – Kalamazoo Public Library, Alma Powell
3:30PM 4/14

Celebration of Community Poets – Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
6:00PM 4/14

Music with Steve Kamerling – Brick + Brine
6:00PM 4/14

Sage Castleberry – The Distant Whistle Brewhouse
6:00PM 4/14

Live Music with Don Field – Presidential Brewing Co.
7:00PM 4/14

Tales and Tails of Star Clusters – Kalamazoo Astronomical Society
7:00PM 4/14

Trivia Night – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
7:00PM 4/14

Vinyl Tap – Comstock VFW
7:00PM 4/14

Weekend to Remember Marriage Retreat – Radisson Plaza Hotel
7:00PM 4/14

Open Mic – Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
8:00PM 4/14

Shut Up & Write! – Water Street Coffee Joint (Oakland)
8:30AM 4/15

Earth Day 5K & Kids’ Raccoon Run – Kalamazoo Nature Center
9:00AM 4/15

Walk About Talk About Autism – Celery Flats
9:30AM 4/15

Seed Swap – Jerico
10:00AM 4/15

Workshop: Roses in Concrete – Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
10:00AM 4/15

Black Women and Black Mommas Matter Brunch – 2022 Fulford Street, Kalamazoo
11:00AM 4/15

Fancy Nancy Tea Party – Comstock Township Library
11am & 1pm 4/15

Kalamazoo Foodways Outdoor Festival – Kalamazoo Valley’s Food Innovation Center
11:00AM 4/15

Sip & Sample Vicksburg – Main St Pub of Vicksburg
12:00PM 4/15

Workshop: Planting Words of Hope – Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
12:00PM 4/15

Workshop: The Wild and Wonderful World of Weeds – Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
12:00PM 4/15

Dave Eggers visits and welcomes The Eyes and the Impossible – this is a bookstore | Bookbug
3:00PM 4/15

FINALE- Kalamazoo Poetry Festival – Kalamazoo Poetry Festival
6:00PM 4/15

Jeff Young – The Distant Whistle Brewhouse
6:00PM 4/15

Lucid Vibe Show – Old Dog Tavern
7:00PM 4/15

Sprung from the UnderGround – Douglass Community Association
7:00PM 4/15

Brahms: A Requiem to Hope – Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
7:30PM 4/15

Chelsea Handler: The Little Big Bitch Tour 2023 – Kalamazoo State Theatre
7:30PM 4/15

Brooklyn Charmers – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
8:00PM 4/15

Wiz Khalifa – Wings Event Center
8:00PM 4/15

Chaos – Papa Pete’s
9:00PM 4/15

See more upcoming events here.

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