Laketown Beach rescue ring case closed

The person who admitted taking the rescue ring from Laketown Township Beach last summer recently reached a plea deal with the Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and has already served his 20 hours of community service.

The misdemeanor charge of larceny less than $200 was dropped following the community service (the community service was not in Laketown Township), according to the Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.

The person was 23 years old at the time of the incident on June 27, 2024, according to court records, and, according to Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Aaron Bir, did not have any prior police record.

Cameras at the beach recorded the person carrying the ring from the beach to a car in the parking lot. The orange life ring has the words “Laketown Twp” stenciled on it.

The township contacted the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office with the vehicle’s license plate. The deputy tracked down the vehicle and retrieved the life ring. The person admitted taking the ring because it would make a “cool decoration for an apartment,” according to the police report.

A deputy returned the life ring to the township hall on June 28, 2024.

Cameras were installed at the beach, 6710 142^nd Ave., in 2023, to increase public safety and deter theft and vandalism.

The Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission first purchased life rings and rip current warning signs in 2022.

The signs – one in English, one in Spanish — explain the dangers of rip currents and what to do in case a swimmer gets caught in one. The life ring can be used as a flotation device to help a swimmer in need.