FREEPORT, IL - The Freeport Police Department (FPD) is looking to add a third K-9 dog to its unit to address an increase in crimes involving narcotics and firearms, according to authorities.
The department has begun fundraising efforts to support the expansion of its K-9 unit. Lieutenant Andrew Good said the expansion is necessary as current K-9s are often stretched thin, FOX 39 reported.
FPD has observed an approximate 40% increase this year in crimes involving firearms or narcotics recoveries. This surge highlights the need for additional resources to combat these offenses. The K-9 unit currently includes officers Enzo and D-J.
Lt. Good explained that the third K-9 will be utilized due to a rise in drug investigations and gun recoveries. Good noted, again, a significant increase in firearm recoveries compared to the previous year. "We are looking to have the third K-9 utilized due to a lot of drug investigations we’ve done, as well as a lot of gun recoveries that we’ve had,” Good said.
"Last year, around the same time, we were roughly in the 50s as far as firearms recovered. So it is a little bit of an uptick. And these are firearms that are recovered during incidents or investigations,” he added.
He also indicated that the current K-9 officers are frequently busy due to existing calls, creating a need for more coverage. "We have run into situations where we say you have a canine already busy on another call. And, you know, if we need an additional canine, we would call them in,” Good said.
Good estimates that purchasing the god, providing training, acquiring necessary equipment and outfitting a specialized squad car could range from $60,000 to $80,000. To help cover these costs, the department has begun fundraising. They sold out of T-shirts and koozies during Tutty Baker Days and still have polos available.
Good mentioned that he has ordered additional items and the department plans to approach area businesses for potential fundraising collaborations. "Baker Days was kind of our first initial fundraiser. We sold out of our T-shirts. We still have some polos. We sold out of our koozies. I’ve since ordered additional; we’re also looking to talk with some of the area businesses, see about if we could do some kind of fundraising efforts,” Good said.
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