Plum Council: No more police K-9 program after Dec. 31
Plum officials plan to disband their police department's K-9 unit at the end of the year.
Council voted unanimously Monday to terminate the program effective Dec. 31, saying it isn't worth the cost of about $20,000 per year.
Off. Lee Temple has been the K-9 officer since late 1998, first with his partner “Tyler,” a German Shepherd, who retired in 2007.
“Voda,” a Belgian Malinois, replaced Tyler that year and has served as the department canine for 10 years.
Both dogs were trained in narcotics, tracking and apprehension. Voda will retire later this year and live with Temple; who will continue to be a patrolman.
Voda was credited with the seizure of more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana and $250,000 in cash while conducting regular narcotics scans of parcels and vehicle searches, according to the borough website.
Plum Manager Michael Thomas said the cost of the K-9 program can't be justified.
The dog is available only for three shifts per week, he said, only about 15 percent of the department's time.
“It's not a cost-effective program to have for a department of our size,” he said. The police department website lists 24 officers, including the chief. The dog's expenses include training, special equipment for a vehicle and a stipend for the handler.
“We would need three dogs to make it worth our while and have more shifts covered,” council Vice President Mike Dell said.
Temple, a master trainer with the North American Police Work Dog Association, said he was surprised by council's action.
“I've been doing this job for 19 years and they haven't come to me and said there's a problem,” Temple said. “I put my heart and soul into this. I believe there's a huge public support for the program.”
He said the dog helps to combat the area's drug problem and is available to respond to more calls than implied by borough officials, even on a training day.
Temple said he hopes to meet with council to discuss saving the program.
Police Chief Jeff Armstrong said the department will still have access to police dogs through Allegheny County and neighboring departments.
He likened having the unit to when the department had its own dispatch center.
“Have we benefitted from having that dog in the past? Yes,” Armstrong said. “Once that dog is done, will we still be able to function as a police department? Yes. That's the reality of it. It's a luxury, and with many luxuries if you can afford to have it, great.”
Armstrong declined comment about council's decision to eliminate the K-9 program.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@tribweb.com or via Twitter @mikejdivittorio.
