Benton Township Police Department

Benton Township Police Department The Benton Township Police Department is a 24/7/365 operational department. We currently serve 36 square miles inside of Berrien County.

Within our area, we have the county's largest business hub, miles of freeway, and a shoreline along Lake Michigan. THIS PAGE IS NOT MONITORED ON A 24 HOUR BASIS. IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 9-1-1. Post Comment Removal Policy
The Benton Township Police Department’s page was created by the department to facilitate the exchange of information with the public at large. To promote suc

h exchange, the department encourages and welcomes postings and comments from the general public about issues related to law enforcement in Benton Township. With that said, however, the police department reserves the right to regulate the content of, and where necessary delete completely, any objectionable entry that appears on its fan page. The Benton Township Police Department is responsible for monitoring all postings to its page and at its sole discretion, to protect other fan page visitors from inappropriate or otherwise harmful information and links. To that end, the Benton Township Police Department will remove as soon as feasible any posting that involves:
-Advertisements of any kind
-Profane language or content
-Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
-Explicit or implied sexual content
-Conduct implying, promoting, or encouraging illegal activity
-Information that might compromise the safety or security of the public
-Any other posting that, by its nature or content, might harm public welfare
-Comments/posts that are repetitive
-Comments that do not pertain to the original post

Our office is currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need fingerprints done for a Benton Township case, please come to the station with your ID, mask, and whatever court paperwork you may have for that case. For FOIA Requests, please contact our FOIA coordinator, Alicia Lewis. TX: 269-926-8221
Fax: 269-926-9533
Email: [email protected]

If you have an anonymous tip or information that would assist in an investigation, please contact the BTPD Detective Bureau at 269-925-1135 or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP

05/01/2026

**CASE UPDATE**

Last week, the Benton Township Police Department requested assistance in an investigation in which a female had suffered a gun shot wound and was seriously injured.
The victim in the case has made great improvements and has been released from the hospital.
On Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, Craig Shivers, 60, of Benton Harbor, was arrested for the incident. On Friday, May 1st, 2026, Mr. Shivers was arraigned on a count of Assault with Intent to Murder, and numerous other firearm charges.
The investigation is ongoing and any information is helpful. BTPD is thankful for individuals who have come forward with information up to this point.
While Mr. Shivers has been charged, it’s important to remember that he remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

-D/Lt. Tyler Tiefenbach

04/25/2026

On Wednesday, April 22nd, just after 10 pm, officers were dispatched to R&H Brothers on Highland Avenue for an assault victim. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the female, who had multiple injuries, including a gunshot wound to her abdomen. The victim remains hospitalized and is listed in serious condition.
Due to her condition, she is unable to communicate with investigators and it is unknown where the incident took place.
The Benton Township Police Department is asking anyone that has information on this incident to contact them at 269-926-8221, or Berrien County Dispatch at 269-983-2571, or message via Facebook.

Very happy that the jury heard the facts and came to the right decision!
03/24/2026

Very happy that the jury heard the facts and came to the right decision!

A St. Joseph Township man could spend the rest of his life behind bars after he was found guilty of murder in connection to a 2023 arson-homicide.According to o

03/03/2026

Thank you to the individuals who reached out to help identify the suspect pictured in the post!

Update on the boil order…
01/20/2026

Update on the boil order…

01/20/2026

Highway is still slippery. While it’s open for the time being, let’s be smart; ice and snow, take it slow.
K, thanks, bye

01/19/2026

Highway is back open
I-94 EB is closed at I-196 due to two jack knifes semis. Please avoid the area, and the highway, and every other road. (Yes, we understand some HAVE to travel, but if you have the option, just don’t)

01/17/2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for Benton Charter Township residents living north and west of the southwest Michigan regional airport.

DRINKING WATER WARNING
The Benton Charter Township Water System lost pressure and contamination may have occurred in the area west and north of the airport.

BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING

Due to a drop in pressure in the Benton Charter Township water supply, bacterial contamination may have occurred in the water system. Bacteria are generally not harmful and are common throughout our environment. Corrective measures have been taken and the situation has been corrected.

What should I do?
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Continue using boiled or bottled water until further notice.

What happened? What is being done?
These precautionary actions are being taken due to the loss of water pressure in the water distribution system caused by a distribution pump failure on January 17, 2026 at 12;47am. Whenever a water system loses pressure for any significant length of time, precautionary measures are recommended.

The Benton Charter Township water staff restored pressure back to normal at 6:43am on January 17, 2026, and water staff will be collecting bacteriological samples from around the system. The samples will be collected to determine that the water quality meets the state drinking water standards. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem within 48 hours.

This boil water notice shall remain in effect until results from the sampling verify the water is safe to drink. Customers will be advised when the boil water advisory has been lifted.

For more information, please contact Cathy Yates, Benton Charter Township Supervisor at 269-369-6819. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

01/17/2026

Ice Conditions Limit Water Intake at Benton Charter Township Plant
By Kevin Paler

BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP — Benton Charter Township officials are asking some residents and businesses to reduce water use after unusual weather conditions caused small particles of ice in Lake Michigan to plug the water plant’s intake.

According to a recent letter sent out today by the Benton Charter Township Supervisor Cathy Yates, the ice buildup has limited the amount of water the treatment plant can draw in to be treated. As a result, the Township is requesting that residents, commercial users, and industrial water users located west and north of the airport limit their water use until the issue is corrected. Officials say conserving water during this time will help ensure there is enough supply available for any emergencies that may occur.

The Township is working to resolve the problem and, in the meantime, is obtaining water from another source until the ice clears from the intake and the plant is able to resume normal water production. Officials noted that this temporary change in water source may result in changes to the normal water flow direction in the Township’s mains, and some customers may notice changes in the appearance of their water.

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Benton Charter Township at 269-369-6819 or the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) at 1-800-292-4706.
___________

The Benton Township Police and Benton Charter Township Fire Department would like to thank the following departments and...
12/22/2025

The Benton Township Police and Benton Charter Township Fire Department would like to thank the following departments and companies for assisting at the scene of this morning's fatal crash:
Berrien County Sheriff's Office
Michigan State Police
Watervliet Police Department
Saint Joseph Township Fire Department Station 1 & 2
Sodus Fire Department
Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety
Royalton Twp. Fire Department
Berrien County Central Dispatch
Medic 1 Ambulance
Michigan Department of Transportation
Hasse’s Towing
B&Z Excavating

Address

1725 Territorial Road
Benton Harbor, MI
49022

Telephone

+12699250616

Website

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