Calling all Motor Officers...

For years now the Kazoo Area Foot Chase has been honored by the presence of the motor officers from the Battle Creek PD. Bravo to BCPD for your ongoing support. But are they the only motor unit in our fair state? I don’t think so… So what other motor officers are out there who dare to join the BCPD riders at this year’s event? Your reward: Coffee and donuts on us. So ride safe and ride steady to this year’s Kazoo Area Foot Chase in Portage on September 12

Welcome Hanger Bar & Grill

The Kazoo Area Foot Chase team is happy to welcome Kalamazoo's Hanger Bar & Grill to our list of distinguished sponsors. We are pleased to have the Hanger in our corner and hope that our many supporters and followers will stop in at Hanger and help us tell them "thanks!"

The Hanger Bar & Grill is located at 4301 W Main Street [east of Drake] in Kalamazoo.

Who's that on the air?

Tune in to WRKR 107.7 FM tomorrow morning between 9 and 10 for a surprise visit by distinguished members of the Kazoo Area Foot Chase team. Listen as our team attempts to stay cool during the blistering interrogation about the event by THE ROCKER'S MORNING SHOW hosts Diane and Mike McKelly. Will our team of seasoned law enforcement professionals crack under pressure or can they keep their cool? Only time will tell...

If you can't tune in over the air, listen in on-line at:

WRKR On-Line

So what's it all about?

The Kazoo Area Foot Chase is a benefit for Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors. So OK, you've already got all that, but what's the event actually like? Well, its a simulated police foot pursuit of suspects who have fled from an incident scene. To give you a better idea of what the event is like, here's a short video curtesy of the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Kazoo Area Foot Chase

KAFC Classic Police Car Show

Word has it that classic police cars may again be appearing at this year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase. Here are some images of those that have shown up at past events.

So where is this place called Celery Flats?

This year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase will start and end at Portage's Celery Flats. This unique place serves as a tribute to Portage's history and heritage, and is also a great venue for events such as this. But where is it located? Well, that's simple. From I-94, head south on S. Westnedge Avenue -- that big road with all of the restaurants and shopping opportunities. Continue south to Garden Lane, which is the next traffic light just past Culver's restaurant on the right. Turn left to head east on Garden Lane and Celery Flats will be on your right just past the railroad tracks. Uniformed officers will be there to direct you to parking in the area. For those who prefer maps, here's a link that should help get you there.

Map to Celery Flats

See you on September 12!

WRKR Rocks!

Kalamazoo's premier rock station WRKR continues their support of the Kazoo Area Foot Chase. Thank you WRKR for all you do!

WRKR

Hurray to the new FireKeepers Casino!

We learned just today that the newly opened FireKeepers Casino near Battle Creek has chosen to support Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors by sponsoring this year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase. We at the KAFC team thank FireKeepers for their generous support and recognition of all that MI-COPS does for the survivors of Michigan's fallen law enforcement officers who have sacraficed so much. To show your appreciation for this support, please visit the FireKeepers Casino in person and also on-line at FireKeepers Casino.

This is Your Police Department

Detroit PD circa 1951.

The Silent Auction is Back!

Last year we introduced a silent auction at the event allowing those attending a chance to bid on a whole range of cool items. The auction was such a hit that our team is bringing it back again this year. And our busy team has been rounding up another cool collection of items for you to choose from. So bring your cash (or check) and come prepared to bid on the items of your choice.

See you on September 12!

[All proceeds from the auction go directly to MI-COPS]

Thank you Crimson Trace!

Crimson Trace, makers of outstanding laser sighting devices for firearms, continues to support the Kazoo Area Foot Chase, Michigan Concerns of Police Survivors and law enforcement overall by joining us again this year as a major sponsor of this event. In fact, as a result of Crimson Trace's generous support we will be able to award some of their fine products to the fastest law enforcement professionals who run in this year's event. What a great prize for our fleet-footed law enforcement runners to win! So if you are a law enforcement professional and would like a chance to win a pair of Crimson Trace laser grips, join us on Saturday, September 12 for this year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase!

For more information on Crimson Trace and their line of fine products, check them out on-line at: Crimson Trace

Check out 2008's Chase...

Here is a link to a show from last year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase. Remember, this year we'll have an all new course, so come and JOIN IN THE CHASE!

Kazoo Area Foot Chase 2008

Thank you Meijer!

The Meijer store on Shaver Road in Portage has supported the Kazoo Area Foot Chase from the start and they are joining us again this year. Thank you Meijer for your continued support that helps make this event possible!

Meijer.com

Prospective Sponsors: There's still time left!

Dear Prospective Kazoo Area Foot Chase Sponsors:

We still have a few days left before we need to let the printer know whose names should be proudly displayed on our event shirts. So if you would like to be among those recognized for their generous support of MI-COPS through our event, please contact me at ostrem@kazoofootchase.com or 269-321-9264 as soon as possible. We'd love to see your name on our shirts!

- Dave

Guardian Wear joins in the Chase!

Guardian Wear, makers of duty wear for public safety heroes, has committed its support to the Kazoo Area Foot Chase and will be providing some of its products as prizes for our fleet footed event participants. But you have to enter to win!

Check out Guardian's products online at: Guardian Wear

Thank you Guardian Wear!

Michigan Taser returns to the Kazoo Area Foot Chase

THIS JUST IN: Ron Dehne of Michigan Taser Distributing plans to return to this year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase. Ron has shocked Foot Chase crowds in the past with his electrifying Taser demonstrations. Dave Ostrem of the Kazoo Area Foot Chase says: "We're not sure what Ron has up his sleeve for this year's event but we hope for another high energy show." South Lyon based Michigan Taser is Michigan's exclusive distributor of Taser less-lethal law enforcement products. Taser's expanding line of Electronic Control Devices has revolutionized police tactics by giving officers a highly effective means of controlling violent situations while reducing the possibility of injuries to both officers and suspects alike. Michigan Taser can be found on-line at www.michigantaser.com.

The Chase Route Has Been Set

OK chase fans, our nimble team of course planners has mapped out a new course for this year's event. We still have some "obstacles" to incorporate, but the geographical aspects have been mapped. As always, no foot chase course is the same as the year before. Moreover, the course is kept secret to all but a few on our event team. The only way to find out where the course will take you is to participate in the chase and follow where the witnesses point you in pursuit of the suspects. So although we will not tell you where this year's course goes, we'll bet you'll have fun figuring it out on your own. Remember: watch for the witnesses.

There's still time to register for this year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase. User-fillable registration forms are available at:

KAFC 2009 Registration Form

But get your registration in soon to 1) guarantee your event shirt, and 2) to get in before we reach our maximum number of participants.

With that, we'll look for you on September 12!

Thank you Roe-Comm!

Roe-Comm has not only supported the Kazoo Area Foot Chase from the start, they have remained a loyal supporter of MI-COPS and this event through thick and thin. Roe-Comm is our area's premier telecommunications provider; the go-to place for two-way radio, cellular and all wireless communications needs.

Thank you Roe-Comm for your continued support!

Roe-Comm

In Honor of PSO Mason Samborski

This year's Kazoo Area Foot Chase is dedicated to Oak Park Public Safety Officer Mason Samborski (EOW: 12/28/2008). Please join us on September 12 in honor of PSO Samborski and his survivors for his service and sacrifice.

ODMP: PSO Mason Samborski