McKees Rocks police looking for donations to fund K-9 officer

The McKees Rocks Police Department is looking to add a K-9 to its force, but it needs the community’s help to pay for it.

The department has a plan to re-establish its K-9 program, something Chief Rick Deliman said would help officers to solve crimes, find missing people and protect the community.

But it comes with an $80,000 cost, and police are asking for donations. The money would help to train the K-9 and its handler and would cover essential equipment and a K-9-specific vehicle. Police raised a few thousand dollars at this past Sunday’s “Santa Paws” event and are hoping to plan more fundraisers in the future.

“We’re only successful as a police department with the community’s support, and this is an extension of that,” Deliman said.

Residents we spoke with said it would make them and their families feel much more secure.

“Being there and being involved ... showing they are there to help the community and be there for everybody … that’s always amazing,” said Katelyn Mozuch, a community member who supports the program.

“I think it’s beautiful. I think it’s wonderful,” said Kimberly Sandy, who lives in McKees Rocks. “Dogs are very intelligent. They can smell those drugs, especially the heroin, get it off the street.”

The police department has posted a link to donate online: https://mckeesrockspa.us/blog/police-k9-fundraiser.

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