KENTWOOD, Mich. — A Kentwood city commissioner stands accused of making a malicious telephone call to a constituent.
According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, on Oct. 20 a Kentwood resident contacted the Kentwood Police Department to file a harassing phone call complaint. The caller described the following events leading up to the threatening phone call.
The Kentwood City Commission is currently working to develop a plan to rebuild Wing Avenue between 52nd and 60th streets. On Oct. 17 the caller contacted each of the Kentwood city commissioners by phone to discuss their individual stances on the project and voice objection to the proposed plan. Among the commissioners called that evening was Commissioner Steven Redmond, who also works for the Michigan Department of Transportation as a planner.
The caller described Redmond as hostile, often yelling, and the caller eventually hung up.
The following evening the caller attended a public meeting hosted by the city of Kentwood to publicly discuss the Wing Avenue project. The next afternoon — Wednesday, Oct. 19 — the caller received a phone call from an unfamiliar number and answered to a male voice on the other end who made a threatening statement.
Law enforcement identified the location the call was placed from and obtained video surveillance showing Redmond placing the call.
On Dec. 6, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office authorized a single count warrant for Redmond for malicious use of telecommunications. Redmond turned himself in on Dec. 9 and was released on a $100 cash surety bond. His arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 16 in 61st District Court.
Anyone with any information, including additional victims, is being asked to call the Kent County Sheriff’s Department at (616) 632-6357 or Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345.
