MLPD to apply for K-9 program grant

MOSES LAKE — Hoping to mirror the success of the Grant County sheriff’s K-9 program, the Moses Lake Police Department is going ahead with applying for a grant in hopes of adding a K-9 to the department.

The MLPD will be applying for a $70,000 grant to start a K-9 program, with initial estimates putting the total cost for the institution of the program at around $90,000. A sizable investment? Yes. But a worthwhile investment? Chief Kevin Fuhr seems to think so.

“The county just added their third dog and they have got enough funds to add a fourth dog,” Fuhr told the city council Tuesday night. “So their program is extremely successful."

The sheriff’s office previously welcomed K-9 Deputies Chicka and Grizzly to their team and recently added K-9 Edo, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands, who will be attending a 10-week K-9 school with his handler in Spokane starting on Monday. The sheriff’s office was able to solicit sizable and numerous donations from the public to help obtain the dogs, which Fuhr believes, based on conversations with the public, is something that can be done in Moses Lake as well.

“In all of the presentations that I do with civic groups in the community and other organizations, a lot of times I get asked about a dog program. And I have been offered donations if we decide to start a program,” Fuhr stated.

The reason for the large upfront cost is the required purchase and outfitting of a police vehicle, which is expected to last for 8-10 years, for about $55,000. The dog itself, the training for the handler and other expenses equate to about $35,000, Fuhr told the Columbia Basin Herald on Thursday. When the program is up and going the annual cost for the program comes in at around $2,500 for dog food, medical needs and other costs.

“I personally think this is an excellent tool. The sheriff’s department’s program has been very beneficial for the department and it’s been very beneficial for the community,” councilmember Ryann Leonard remarked.

For the chief, one of the biggest benefits of adding a K-9 to his department is apprehension of suspects.

“It’s going to make it a lot easier for us to track down those that are responsible for offenses in the city that end up fleeing,” he explained. “Searches, we get a lot of alarm calls at businesses or residences that we are searching with multiple officers and this would give us the ability to search those a lot quicker and more effectively.”

The council gave Fuhr the go-ahead to apply for the grant and agreed to sign a letter of support to submit with the grant. Fuhr told the Herald the MLPD will be taking donations at their station, 411 S. Balsam St., and will be creating a GoFundMe account for people to donate online. He said people can also come to the department, or department members can come to them, if they want to make a donation, as GoFundMe has a service charge associated with online donations.

In addition, Fuhr said businesses and civic organizations can contact the MLPD at 509-764-3887 if they want to make a donation. To donate online visit www.gofundme.com/help-moses-lake-pd-get-a-k9-program.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.