July 23--SALEM -- An effort is under way to fund the addition of two members to the city's police force.
With four legs, keen instincts and a top-notch nose, these guys can do the work of multiple humans in certain situations.
The Mack Park Neighborhood Association is spearheading an effort to provide two K-9s for the Salem Police Department.
The group -- with the help of the city's Lions, Moose Lodge and numerous other groups -- hopes to raise $30,000 by October, which would cover the initial expense for two dogs, their training, supplies and other costs.
Police Chief Paul Tucker says he's grateful for the effort.
"It would be such a plus for a city our size, and I see it as a tremendous addition to our department," Tucker said. "These dogs will work hard for us. The amount of practical uses we'll have for them, it's limitless."
It's been three decades since Salem had K-9s on its police force. The department pays to bring in dogs and their handlers from the Essex County Sheriff's Department for major events, such as Halloween.
"We're not just a little seaport town anymore," said Rose Mary O'Connor, chairwoman of the Mack Park Neighborhood Association. "We need to be proud of that but also protect ourselves. ... I know how dedicated (police dogs) are, and I do know there's a need. This is not for a particular group, for North Salem or South Salem, it's for everybody."
The goal is to be able to purchase a dog for the Salem police before a training course begins Oct. 1 in Boston. If they miss the Oct. 1 class, they'll have to wait a full year to enroll, O'Connor said.
The fundraising effort is gaining steam and numerous events are planned for August, from selling T-shirts to a golf tournament. O'Connor said they'll be setting up a table at the city's weekly farmers market to spread the word.
Vest-A-Dog, a nonprofit that provides bulletproof vests for police dogs, recently awarded Salem a $5,000 grant toward establishing a K-9 unit. A city couple have also donated two bulletproof vests for the dogs, once they arrive.
Having K-9s permanently in Salem would bring a host of benefits, the first of which would be a quick response to situations where time is of the essence, such as a missing child, Capt. Brian Gilligan said.
The dogs would primarily be used for day-to-day patrol functions, such as vehicle stops and searches of property, he said. With training, they could also be used in drug searches, crowd control, tracking and other functions.
"The consistent presence of a K-9 is going to add a (crime) deterrent element," Gilligan said. "It's been my feeling, and the chief's feeling, for a number of years now, that we desperately need K-9s in the city, with the number of calls we take, and the type of calls we take."
"There's a lot to be said for having your dog here, readily available and immersed in the community," he said.
Gilligan said he and the chief are committed to find the funding to keep the K-9 unit going, once private fundraising covers the initial setup costs.
"We both believe any costs we might incur are clearly outweighed by the benefits K-9s would bring to the department," Gilligan said.
Fourteen Salem officers have expressed interest in becoming a K-9 handler, which involves bringing the dog home at night.
Like license-plate readers and other technical equipment, K-9s are "force multipliers," Gilligan said, and can do the work of multiple officers.
It's needed in a city with a large university, thriving tourist industry and even talk of having cruise ships dock at Salem's waterfront, he said.
Gilligan said K-9s play an "integral part" of the police's planning for Halloween and other events.
"We probably do more special events than any other city outside of Boston," he said.
Bethany Bray can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @SalemNewsBB.
Bringing police dogs to Salem--For more information, to donate or get involved, visit www.salemk9.com.--Donations accepted into an account at Salem Five Bank, 424 Essex St., Salem.--Look for a booth at the Salem Farmers' Market, Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m., Derby Square on Front Street. Tickets go on sale next week ($10 each) for a calendar fundraiser, where prizes will be awarded each day in September.--Upcoming fundraisers include an Aug. 27 golf tournament at Salem's municipal golf course, dinner at the Salem Moose Lodge and events at Salem Heritage Days in August, including a dunk tank and costumed doggie photos.
Copyright 2012 - The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.
