Leetsdale Police Petition for K-9 Officer

If the department gets its wish, a K-9 officer could be added to the force sometime in the near future.

At its regular board meeting on Thursday, Leetsdale Borough Council considered a request from the municipality’s police department to begin raising funds to purchase a dog for the force.

Leetsdale Police Chief James Santucci said the canine would work as a drug dog that could be used during patrols along the Route 65 and Beaver Street corridors.

Santucci estimated the cost of the dog and appropriate training would run approximately $5,000 to $6,000, but with fundraising efforts, would pay nothing, he said.

“The animal would be about $2,500 to $3,000, and the training would be about another$2,500 to $3,000,” said.

In an effort to raise the necessary funds, the police department would organize several fundraisers and seek other financial support.

Santucci, an 11-year veteran of the force, said the department would also seek the advice of the Beaver County Sherriff’s office.

Councilmen Michael Bajsec and Wesley James requested more information about the K-9 project, which will be presented at next month’s borough council meeting.

On a separate note, in May the borough’s police department in May collected $4,686.44 in magisterial and $495 in parking fees.