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Township residents have issues with neighbor’s shooting, explosions

Posted at 4:54 PM, Mar 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-14 16:54:59-04

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Residents in Hamilton Township are upset at a neighbor who has been making quite the bang lately.

Residents say that the man and his friends have been shooting at an explosive rifle target known as Tannerite. The material is available at outdoors shops.

"My house takes the brunt of that every time it goes off," neighbor Damion Whitworth told FOX 17.

The residents say they have complained to the sheriff's department and the township but can't get anything done.  They say the blasts are shaking their walls, setting off alarm systems and driving their dogs crazy.

"[On Sunday], they did this like five times," neighbor Penny Drake said.

"My husband said, 'That's it. Give me the phone.' So he called the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department."

The township and sheriff's office said that it is difficult to enforce a noise ordinance and the township actually doesn't even have one.

"Basically got several calls from residence," Carl Druskovich, the township supervisor said.

He added, "I live about three miles from the area. Our house shook. My wife came out and asked me what happened."

The man wasn't home when the FOX 17 Problem Solvers visited with neighbors. The team looks to speak with him.

Residents plan to make their voices heard at Tuesday's monthly township board meeting.  The township supervisor says he has invited the man to the meeting at hopes of reaching a resolution. FOX 17 learned that invitation was declined, but the man plans to speak with Druskovich later on.