School competition raises funds for K-9 unit

The Susquehanna Township School District community came together to support the local police department, which is trying to restart its K-9 program. A teacher in the district started a friendly competition among the district’s schools to see which school could collect the most spare change and other donations toward the police department’s purchase of two trained dogs. The total amount raised was $11,412.15, with Holtzman Elementary winning the “Top Dog Award” for contributing the most funds, nearly $4,000. The goal of $10,000 was surpassed.

In an article in the Patriot-News, Susquehanna Township Public Safety Director Robert Martin said it was is the largest donation to the K-9 fund the police have received to date, bringing their total to $40,000. The department hasn’t had a K-9 unit for about 10 years, however, officers plan to purchase two dogs and start training them this summer. The unit will help police with tasks such as looking for missing persons, tracking fleeing subjects, and detecting illegal drugs and explosives, the article said.