Panasonic’s $13K donation helps start K-9 unit

Fri, 08/08/2008 - 2:58pm
By: John Munford

K-9 donation from Panasonic

A Peachtree City business has made a huge contribution to the police department to help start up a K-9 program.

Panasonic donated $13,000 in a special presentation at Thursday night’s City Council meeting.

The start-up costs are estimated to be $36,000 and that will include two dogs, training, special equipment for patrol vehicles, kennels and other, Police Chief H.C. “Skip” Clark said in a memo to council. The program will include two trained dog handlers and help make K-9 units more available to the city.

The units will be used to detect drugs and apprehend criminals in addition to serving as a crime deterrent, Clark noted.

“With the rise of criminal activity most notably associated with metropolitan areas, it is our belief that this type of program would be a valuable tool to keep Peachtree City the safe secure community the citizens are accustomed to and the police department has always been proud to provide.”

K-9s can search large areas very quickly which can be helpful when dealing with large facilities and situations such as missing children, Clark said.

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Submitted by DWKK07 on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 10:25am.

It's about time! About two years ago a police chase ended in front of a friend of mine's house off of Willow Rd. and two guys jumped out and ran off towards Hwy 54. My friend and I saw it happen, and tried to help point the officers in the right direction. What struck me was that a Coweta County police officer showed up with a police dog a pretty long time later. I read the next day that one of the guys stole another car and ended up getting caught in another city. I asked one of the PTC officers why Coweta was here, and he said that they don't have police dogs in PTC. I thought this was absurd, considering the type of community we live in - I would personally expect our law enforcement to have all the resources that they need in a high income area like this. I think recent headlines in this paper have sure proved they need it. In the case that I witnessed, maybe somebody else wouldn't have gotten their car stolen if the police dog didn't have to come all the way from Coweta County to track them.
I hope they get some more of these big businesses to make some good donations if our city officials can't pony up the rest of the cash.

JacquesMolay's picture
Submitted by JacquesMolay on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 9:33pm.

Keep up the good work Chief Clark. It is great to see that you are finally turning the police department around. A K-9 Unit for our City is long overdue. That idiot Murray and his band of merry morons Dupree and Pye vowed to never have a K-9. I am glad to see that you haven't let Dupree and Pye influence you for the worse. Keep moving forward Chief Clark and be careful. Not everyone shares your vision. Be vigiliant.


Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 5:17am.

I disagree! Dogs are more trouble than they are worth and are for shoe-off only.

Just like helicopters, Mustangs, five-star police generals, mustaches, big guts, and profilers!

SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 10:50am.

You're crazy. Dogs are proven to reduce the crime rate significantly. I guess you want narcotics and criminals on the loose in this community?
quit whining


Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 11:30am.

Proven? Where? In PTC?

Get on the cart path with the two K-9 cops---no dogs.

Submitted by PTCitizen on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 12:20pm.

This is one of the stupidest arguments I've seen on here in a while - and that's really saying something if you look at this paper very often. If you lack the cerebral capacity to use google for some facts about police dogs, I don't see that your opinion is important enough for me or SLUF or anybody else to waste time researching and citing the statistics for you.
Furthermore, your statements below ("That means teo more cops that we don't have will play with dogs most of the time! Who do you think takes care of them?")are poorly reasoned and uneducated. Why two cops that we don't have? With current budget issues, I'm sure they'll just give two existing officers dogs - that is not an increase in personnel or expense to the city. To answer your question, I think the handler takes care of the dog, mostly on their own time. I used to live next door to an Atlanta PD officer who was a K-9 handler, and he said that he was expected to take care of the dog himself, and that the only reimbursement he got for it was a small pay stipend mandated by federal labor laws - I think it was like 3% or something. So if you think a small pay stipend like that and some veterinary bills are such a burden that they outweigh the benefits of the dog - well, I guess we're getting back to that whole mental capacity thing. Or maybe, you're just a drug dealer and you don't want the cops having a good way to get into your car or catch you when you try to run.
People like you make me sad and fearful for the future of the human race.

SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 12:15pm.

Are you really that stupid? Here is the story from Spokane PD's website about their K9 unit:
The Spokane Police Department K-9 Unit was formed in 1987 by Major Gill Moberly, Sgt. Ron Erickson, and the then current Chief, Terry Mangan. The K-9 Unit started with three German Shepherd patrol dogs imported from Germany (above). The canine teams proved so successful in locating criminal suspects that one year later, in 1988, the department added two more patrol dog teams, bringing the total to five. In 1993, one of the K-9 teams was crossed-trained in narcotics detection to test the need for a narcotics dog in Spokane. This team was utilized successfully so often that one year later a single-purpose narcotics dog was added. Another year later, a second single-purpose narcotics dog was added. The Spokane Police Department currently has two narcotics dogs and five patrol dogs, all of which are single purpose.
And here are some facts from a research study that I found on the internet:
The study indicates that a single K9 team was able to complete building searches seven times faster than a team of four officers. Additionally, the K9 team had a 93% success rate, while the human team had a success rate of 59%, suggesting K9’s are 44% more effective
than their human counterparts.
Why don't you do a little research before you start typing your ridiculous statements. I'm sure that most of PTC disagrees with you. Do you have something to hide?


Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 1:57pm.

Police and dogs in Spokane Washington have NOTHING to do with pipsqueak Peachtree City and our small force!

The two cops we wouldn't have would be the two playing with dogs!

As to your "wonderful research" (the Spokane PD and some internet thingey you say you found, mean little. Of course a PD is going to say any addition is great. What does successful mean?

Searching a building faster than human cops means they can smell faster than the cops can open and look, I suppose? Mind telling me how many crooks each type of search found in that "survey?"

I suppose you would also like to have some mounted horse cops too?

Believe me, showing off helicopters, dogs, horses, mustangs cars, etc., doesn't stop anything.
No one in the office at any time except phone answerers, some on foot, some on bikes, some on golf carts, and some in cars---even at shift change is the answer! Do the paperwork on Saturdays and Sundays if that is their days off!
This is not a job factory like Atlanta!

Ignore so many of these time-takers, like faulty tail lights and foreign drivers, watch where the crimes occur more.
Cops will do what they are told and trained to do!

SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 2:11pm.

I grew up in a small (pipsqueak) town in north Georgia. We had around 5,000 residents, which is around 10% of what PTC has if my figures are correct. Our police department had a good K-9 squad and have made millions from seizures of money from drug dealers-evidently they get to keep the money they find in cars of drug dealers. They have also confiscated millions of dollars worth of drugs, found escaped inmates, etc... My only conclusion is that you must be a criminal scared of losing business.


Submitted by MYTMITE on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 10:24am.

You are constantly profiling people on this site. And what is a shoe-off? Is it a barefoot sit-in?

Amd regarding the remark: dogs are more trouble than they are worth:

What about dogs used by our service personnel to sniff out bombs? Dogs used to help the handicapped? Dogs used to sniff out drugs and other materials? Dogs that can tell if you are about to have a seizure? Dogs used to cheer up people who are in nursing homes or very ill? And last but by no means least, the dogs that are "only" pets and bring their owners untold love and joy? Dogs are faithful-never let you down and love unconditionally, and in many instances have given their lives for humans. If dogs could type (and there probably are some who can!) they would probably post better blogs than thee and me. I'd take most dogs over lots of humans I have come in contact with over the years.

Submitted by Bonkers on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 11:28am.

I agree with everything you said except the subject was the PTC police haveing two K-9 dogs--not all those others! You don't read!

That means teo more cops that we don't have will play with dogs most of the time! Who do you think takes care of them?

What are they going to sniff out in PTC?

Get on the cart paths instead!

Dogs wandering around with a cop in a car don't scare thieves!

Submitted by MYTMITE on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 5:21pm.

it!. Policemen don't 'play' with their dogs, they train them. Dogs can take the place of a policeman and relieve that man/woman for other duties. Can you sniff out drugs? Can you take the scent of a child that has been abducted and follow it to that child? Can you follow a suspect into an area that would present a problem to a policeman? Police dogs have proven their value over and over. They will put their lives in danger to protect their handler and have saved the lifes of their handlers many times. What are they going to sniff out in PTC? How about drugs? How about contraband? How about escaped prisioners? How about a wanted criminal? How about you getting a brain and using it, for once? Are you ever for anything? I do read and I comprehend very well, thank you. I also know the value of police dogs. As for the policemen doing their paperwork on Saturdays and Sundays--just more of your stupid statements. Stop being so negative and join this century. If you had your way we would still have a sheriff who called for a posse to hunt down the outlaws--then you would still find fault with the way he did that!

Submitted by Bonkers on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 4:21am.

You apparently watch too many TV cop shows!

I did see a dog driving a car after a bank robber the other day! He had taken the place of a cop.

I understand numerous kids have been sniffed out and found in this area by dogs. Also escaped prisoners. Also wanted criminals.

I guess next thing will be that the crooks will have Rottweilers with them to kill the German Shepherds?

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 2:16pm.

Patrol the cart paths??? What, and catch the teens vandalizing peoples property? But, that would be helping the residents here......good one.

Let's hope they put the dogs to good use.

Submitted by NeedtoKnow on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 7:43pm.

I don't know if you just haven't been out on the paths lately or what. But you keep stating or alluding to the paths not being patrolled and it just isn't true. Maybe it was for awhile, but not for some months now.

Things ARE getting better at the PCPD.

PTC80's picture
Submitted by PTC80 on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 7:06pm.

I'm not going to bother responding to that moron Bonkers, simply because I find it appalling to waste my time speaking to such people. Skyspy, however, I sometimes find that your statements are somewhat intelligent and thought through. That's why I'm curious to ask if you are implying that there are still not cart path patrols in PTC? I run everyday on the paths, and I now frequently see the police officers on 4-wheelers, some kind of off-road golf cart, and even on bicycles sometimes. I'm pleasantly surprised with the improvement over the way it used to be. I must say, I think your comment is a bit unfair if it you are implying that they are still not patrolling the paths.

Side note: Is anybody else thinking that Bonkers is yet another manifestation of good ol' Dollar?


Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 8:32pm.

Bonker$ is $dollar, and d.smith, and $ageadvice. It just depends on the strength of the meds. which one writes online.

I also get out and enjoy our paths everyday. I see much spray paint gratuitous graffiti. Last week in a neighborhood close to Braelin I think several property owners were trying to fix the damage of vandals and more spray painting. If these kids were good artists I don't think anyone would mind. They can't be everywhere at once, but if they set up sting late at night when these things are happening maybe it would put a dent in it. Not everynight just randomly pick one night a week take a few extra people off of the day shift and get them out there. Be systematically unsystematic, like Det. Rose says in the ajc. Make an example of a couple of them. Patrolling during the day just lets the cops see the aftermath.

It seems kind of ironic that this one spot on the path was targeted almost right in front of their neighborhood watch sign.

Have any luck catching our armed robbers yet?

Submitted by Bonkers on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 4:51am.

Who in the world is $dollar; d.smith; $sageadvice?

What is gratuitous graffiti?
Is it the police who can't be everywhere at once or the artists?
I saw that cop cart "once" near the town gas station---they went back to the HQ, employees had emptied the supply tanks!
Late at night in a cart! Are you serious?

Those carts show up occasionally in highly populated areas only. They know they can't properly tour 100 miles 24/7, 365. Not even enough to scare dumb kids.

PTC80's picture
Submitted by PTC80 on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 9:23pm.

I don't really know all about the times they patrol, but I have seen them in the late evening - maybe somebody should just call the Police Department and ask or suggest about this. Or - maybe we could just suggest that they get spraypaint sniffing dogs instead of drug sniffing dogs... that way we've got our priorities right.
Or, here's yet another novel idea - how about we offer parenting classes in PTC for free, and lesson number one can be how to keep your little a-hole kids in line, and not blame somebody else for their misconduct. Perhaps griping about the police not cleaning up our mess as a society is not the most productive, or accurately targeted way that we can spend our time.


Submitted by Bonkers on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 4:40am.

They take a run of the whole 100 miles of paths every hour or so! 24/7!

365 and 1/4!

Have worn out 16 sets of tires and 4 carts, so far.

Have caught 100 criminals.

Are thinking bout mounting spot lights on the thing.

And a 5" cannon.

Submitted by MYTMITE on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 7:51pm.

No matter how you spell it-it still amounts to a nut-job.

Submitted by MYTMITE on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 11:25pm.

Are peaches out of season? Haven't seen any around lately--just wondering. But then, since most of us seem to have an allergy to certain types of peaches that is a good thing, I guess. Or have they been found to carry a dangerous strain of 'something' and been banned by the powers that be? Guess we shouldn't look a gift horse, or should I say 'gift peach" in the mouth. After all, to quote Rick: We will always have Bonkers, Sage, Sage Dollar, Dollar or whatever strikes his/her fancy.

Submitted by Bonkers on Sun, 08/10/2008 - 4:43am.

Mytite makes the same sense as Lily did!

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 7:34pm.

About your side note, absolutely.
-------------------------------------------
Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


PTC80's picture
Submitted by PTC80 on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 9:24pm.

Thanks for the many answers to my question about Dollar


SLUF's picture
Submitted by SLUF on Sat, 08/09/2008 - 2:25pm.

They are patrolling cart paths. I've seen the little ATV with my own eyes.


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