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Kentwood police report uptick in aggravated assaults, large drug seizure; new fire captain sworn in
Summary
Police reported increased aggravated assaults largely tied to domestic incidents and described a multi-drug seizure and currency confiscation. The commission also swore in firefighter Nick Harkas as a captain and learned of an upcoming deputy chief hire and accreditation progress.
Kentwood's police chief reported a year-end uptick in aggravated assaults and outlined details of a recent search-warrant seizure during the commission's second meeting of 2026.
"It's that aggravated assault, and the vast majority of those are domestic type relationship that are really driving that number," Chief Littwin said, summarizing the department's December and year-to-date breakdowns. The chief reported just under 1,600 calls for service in December and nearly 18,000 calls year-to-date. He told commissioners the department seized approximately 153 grams of cocaine, about 3.5 pounds of marijuana, 114 grams of methamphetamine, 88 grams of fentanyl, multiple pills, five firearms and ‘‘about almost $25,000 in U.S. currency."
Chief Littwin said many aggravated assaults are identified after the fact and that domestic violence resources and earlier reporting remain challenges; commissioners asked staff to follow up with geographic breakdowns and with data distinguishing number of juvenile incidents from number of distinct juveniles.
On the fire side, the commission administered the oath to Nick Harkas, who was introduced as the new fire captain. Fire department leadership described Harkas's 22 years in fire service and family ties to the department. The fire chief also said a new deputy chief, Darren Daphney, will start on Monday and that the department has been recommended for accreditation through the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
The commission moved to receive and file the police and fire reports; the motion passed by roll call with no recorded dissents. Staff plan to return with requested data analyses on geographic concentrations and juvenile arrest counts.
Next steps: police will provide requested follow-up data on hot-spot locations and juvenile counts; fire staff will complete accreditation steps and schedule a swearing-in presentation for the new deputy chief.
