3rd police dog to join Crown Point department

CROWN POINT | Crown Point police dogs Buddy and Radar are getting a new partner.

Approval to add a third K-9 to Police Department ranks was granted by the Board of Public Works and Safety.

The dog costing $11,500 will be brought on board in spring and will staff the third-shift patrol division, Chief Pete Land said.

K-9s Buddy and Radar, assigned to the first and second patrol division shifts, have proven their worth to the department, Land said.

The two dogs have taken part in a total 185 police activities, including 29 vehicle searches, 12 of which resulted in arrests for possession of narcotics.

Buddy was recognized recently for his role in the detection and seizure of illegal narcotics in searches for federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Mayor David Uran said the dogs have helped to keep the community safe and narcotics off the street.

"I see nothing but an upside to this," Uran said.

Future needs of the growing city dictate the addition of a police K-9 assigned to the third shift, Land said.

Purchase and training of the new dog will be paid from a self-sustaining account made up of donations, Land said.

Annual costs for the dogs, including about $2,000 for medical care and $1,100 for food, are paid out of the city budget.