After 14 1/2 years as Three Rivers’ chief of police and 47 1/2 years with the Three Rivers Police Department, Tom Bringman is calling it a career.
Police Chief Tom Bringman
The City of Three Rivers has hired The CAUTION Group out of Southgate, Michigan to assist in its search for its next chief of police with Police Chief Tom Bringman set to retire in November.
Members of the Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday approved a new “Main Street Commons” district in downtown Three Rivers. The vote allows next steps to move forward for a proposed, designated section of downtown Three Rivers, in which outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages would be permitted. Such districts are possible under recent, new rules authorized by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). These rules, which are to be in effect for five years at the state level, are meant to provide businesses more service options amid pandemic-related restrictions on indoor occupancy.
At an annual organizational meeting Monday evening, members of the Three Rivers City Commission heard about a year’s worth of work and progress from the city’s various department heads, ranging from the fire and police chiefs to the mapmaker and the grant writer. Commissioners also passed a series of measures to set various procedures for the coming year. City Manager Joe Bippus said the city has gotten “a lot of things accomplished” in the past year, and has been “very resourceful,” delivering “quality services” to the public through diligent frugality and with “very little waste” of money or other resources.
The Three Rivers Police Department (TRPD) will not provide officers or auxiliaries at the polls on Election Day next week, Chief of Police Tom Bringman said Thursday.
A judge has blocked a ban on the open display of firearms at polling places issued recently by Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) Jocelyn Benson. Several current and prospective public officials discussed the ruling on social media Tuesday.
St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite told Watershed Voice Wednesday that his department will not be able to enforce a directive issued last Friday prohibiting open carry of firearms within 100 feet of polling places around the state. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued the directive, which applies to the upcoming November 3 General Election day, and includes instructions for local clerks on how to carry it out.
In a statement Friday, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the open carry of firearms at polling places on Election Day is prohibited around the state. Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman gives details on how the TRPD plans to protect against voter intimidation on Election Day.
An event called “Back the Blue,” honoring law enforcement workers, took place on the grounds of Riverside Church in Three Rivers Saturday.
A 64-year-old Three Rivers woman is looking for a secure place to live after her home was shot at on Monday, August 31.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with an uptick in cases in St. Joseph County and elsewhere in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to issue orders that modify or add to existing orders regarding mask use. In light of the tighter rules, Watershed Voice spoke with some local law enforcement officials to find out how they are treating mask usage around Three Rivers and St. Joseph County.
“This week’s Sow Good Seeds column departs from the environmental theme of most of my writing, but I’d like to share a story of a recent experience. I try to write columns that encourage us to look at how connected we are to the world around us. I hope this will shed light on the community relationships that are possible when honest and respectful communication is a priority. When we care for each other, we care for the whole.”