The Solebury Township Police Department is in the process of implementing its first-ever K9 Unit for regular patrol and community relations.
The program will be fully funded by private donations via police department fundraising events, and community and business donations.
Solebury police said the unit can only be maintained because of dedicated sponsors. The police dog, training and equipment will be purchased with funds raised from residents, community members, businesses and corporate sponsors. A dog has yet to be selected.
The department is asking for help to support the canine unit and the department’s vision of a safe, drug-free community.
“We are fundraising to offset the costs associated with our first-ever police K9. We are grateful to those who have supported our department in the past and we need your help to implement our K9 unit,” said a statement from the Solebury Police Department.
“The department will be implementing the police K9 Unit for the purpose of community relations, patrol and as a needed tool to reinforce our department and officers,” said Solebury Police Chief Dominick Bellizzie.
“Police K9s are also used to provide security in controlled areas, and for locating and apprehending suspects, as well as to assist officers with search and rescue of missing persons,” he said.
“As seen over the past few years, the need for a K9 has increased. Our department has called in police dogs from agencies throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania to assist in those investigations. By having a K9 available within the township it would expedite the response time to incidents, which increases the likelihood of an expeditious apprehension of suspects or locating a missing person.”
The department said the canine officer will be on the road creating a bridge between the police department and the community.
Monetary donations from community members will be accepted at the Solebury Township Police Department. Business or corporate sponsors can make monetary donations or host events to raise funds in support of the Solebury Township Police K9 Unit. The police department thanks donors in advance for their support.
Donations may be made payable to: Solebury Township, 3092 Sugan Rd PO Box 139, Solebury, PA 18963, C/O Police K-9.
