Southeast Iowa Realty Donates To K9 Program
Southeast Iowa Regional Board of Realtors presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to the Oskaloosa Police Department K9 project.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee accepted a $5,000 check from the Southeast Iowa Regional Board of Realtors on Monday, September 11, 2017, on behalf of the Iowa Realtor Foundation.
Barbara Kerr with the Southeast Iowa Regional Board of Realtors helped secure the grant and presented Oskaloosa Police Chief with a check in the amount of $5000 to go towards the new K9. “We are happy to do it.”
“I can tell you that this is just awesome,” said McGee. “This puts us over the top.”
“Our original goal was $40,000, right now with this we’re at $70,000,” said McGee.
McGee said that the new K9 will be the third for the department. “We haven’t had one for five years now.”
The K9 program is a volunteer program because an officer has to request the assignment, because of the added responsibility that comes with being a K9 handler. “It’s a huge commitment to make to be a K9 officer.”
This donation helps the program exceed the required amount for the K9 and will enable Oskaloosa Police Officer Austin Rogers to spend the 6 weeks in Indiana training with the dog before returning to Oskaloosa. The new K9 will be a Shepherd breed of some sort.
The funds raised so far will enable the police department to purchase a new car, which will serve the K9 during its entire career.
In the past, a used squad car would have been used, but would need the equipment removed and put into another used squad, which can be very expensive over time, costing between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars each time a car is switched.
“I thank all of you for your support.” said McGee. “I’ll be honest. I’ve been overwhelmed with this because we’re receiving donations not only from Oskaloosa and Mahaska County, but from all over the state of Iowa. We’re receiving dollar donations from kids giving our receptionist a dollar to put it towards the K9. We have kids with lemonade stands donating their proceeds. It’s just been an awesome project.”
