*Menu
Search
Greencastle Banner Graphic

Roachdale looking for K-9 unit

Saturday, August 31, 2013
By JOYCE ORLANDO Staff Writer

ROACHDALE -- Dog is said to be man's best friend, it can also be a police officer's best tool.

Roachdale Town Marshal Mike Mahoy is looking to add a friend and useful tool to the force.

Mahoy came to the Roachdale Town Council two months ago with the idea of investing in a K-9 unit. He believed that this would be a useful tool for not only Roachdale but also the county.

"We can work with the schools more and not rely solely on the county," Mahoy said. "As a parent, I would feel better having the dog going around."

Town marshals in the northern part of the county try to make it a routine to bring a K-9 unit to the schools but sometimes it is difficult to get units in Mahoy said. He also said that if Roachdale would have a K-9 unit it would be useful to help stop some of the drugs coming into the towns.

"We know that its (drugs) there," Mahoy said. "We don't want it here ... and we sure don't want it in our schools."

Mahoy and his fellow officers have worked with other law enforcement agencies on drug work and K-9 units. He is looking to add that extra help that other agencies have to the northern Putnam area.

The town of Roachdale is supporting Mahoy's endeavor fully, even after the town's last experience with a K-9 unit. Several years ago a K-9 unit was put into use in the Roachdale area but it was not used in the area, it stayed on Interstate 70.

"It will be different this time," Mahoy told the town council.

The desire to integrate a K-9 unit is there, but funding is a major hurdle the marshal is running into.

After applying for several grants to help fund the $12,000 project, Mahoy is looking for community support. He believes that the investment in the unit will pay for itself due to the different endeavors that could be undertaken.

The canine would not only be used as a drug dog, it will also have training in search Mahoy said.

Mahoy is hoping to have the North Putnam County/Roachdale K-9 unit up and running by the first of the year. Mahoy continues to apply for grants and asks for help from the community to make this a possibility for the town.

For more information, persons may contact Mahoy at 522-1785.

Comments
View 4 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

  • No,not all Roachdale residents are supportive of the town marshal's desire to have a K9 unit. It is not needed. If the town of less than 1,000 residents can't get by with 1 marshal, deputy marshal and various and sundry "volunteer marshals", then something is wrong.

    -- Posted by oldlady on Sat, Aug 31, 2013, at 6:06 PM

  • I believe it would be a GREAT thing in our community. I believe Mahoy and and his officers could do great things for the town with the help of a K-9 unit. Mahoy has a great department and great guys working for him, I know he would be great with a K9 officer. Hope to see a 4-legged officer added to the department soon!

    -- Posted by Rdalesupporter on Tue, Sep 3, 2013, at 11:31 PM

  • I think this could be a good thing for northern Putnam County. I remember locker searches while I was in school and even dogs coming in and you just don't see that very often these days. I think the thought of a K-9 in town will put a thorn in some peoples bad habits. Your right, Mahoy will never be like Fenwick and that is a good thing in my book. Good Luck Mahoy and I think you are doing a good thing despite what some might think. There will always be those that never support or like police, but I am all for supporting the good, hard working and honest ones out there.

    -- Posted by RDALERESIDENT on Thu, Sep 5, 2013, at 9:08 AM

  • Besides, Mahoy has never not been there. He is dedicated to the town, I think it's time for the town to appreciate the hard work he does. The dog would put in the long hours just like Mahoy does. It would be a nice feeling to know our kids are safe at school away from a big majority of the drugs. I feel safe in town knowing the Mahoy, and his other guys are out working, but there are some things (and places) a man just can't get to. I meant it when I said it, I hope to see this new officer added to the department.

    -- Posted by Rdalesupporter on Thu, Sep 5, 2013, at 1:03 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: