From the Aberdeen Police Department:
The Aberdeen Police Department K9’s Sam and Arco have received ballistic vests thanks to a nationwide GROUPON EVENT that has raised over $335,000.00.
The Aberdeen Police Department is excited to have this very important protective equipment for their K9 officers. K9’s are an important part of our police family. These four legged officers would gladly throw themselves in harm’s way to make sure the people they protect don’t have to. Sam & Arco will proudly be wearing their new vests while they work to keep the citizens of Aberdeen safe.
Sam has been working with his partner Ofc. Michael Soler since November, 2013. He is trained in patrol tracking and narcotics detection. Arco is trained in patrol tracking and explosives detection. He has been the partner of Ofc. Raul Forsmark since May, 2014.
The “Occasions” campaign for Groupon Grassroots to outfit police K9’s with bullet and stab protective vests ran February 15th through March 5th. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. was the nationwide non-profit organization and charity partner selected by Groupon Grassroots to participate. The online $10 donation suggested interested persons purchase a GROUPON (a tax deductible donation) through the secure website where all funds were allocated to purchase ballistic vests for our four-legged crime fighters who put their lives on the line for the community and their partner.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. will be providing over 350 law enforcement dogs nationwide with the protective body armor in memory of K9 Rocco of the Pittsburgh Police Department who sacrificed his life in the line of duty in January of 2014. All vests will be embroidered with the sentiment, “In Memory of K9 Rocco, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police”.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. announces their 7” plush stuffed German Shepherd K9 Hero, “Cesar”, and company ambassador of Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. now available online for a $15.00 donation at www.vik9s.org. Proceeds will provide bullet and stab protective vests, for police dogs actively working without the potentially lifesaving equipment.
In 2013, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. partnered with Groupon and was named as one of “The Best of 2013” campaigns. In just one week the nonprofit raised $155, 537.33 which provided ballistic vests for 163 law enforcement dogs in 30 states. There are an estimated 30,000 police dogs throughout the United States.
VESTED INTEREST IN K9S, INC.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA. whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 1346 law enforcement dogs in 49 states with protective vests since 2009 at a cost of over 1.2 million dollars.
The organization orders the U.S. made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA. Who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor.
New K9 graduates as well as K9’s with expired vests are eligible to participate. The program is open to law enforcement dogs who are US employed, certified and at least 19 months of age.
For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations and event listings are via the website: www.vik9s.org.
What a waste of money (grant AND citizens of Aberdeen tax). Yes, it costs a lot of money to maintain ONE K-9, and twice as much to maintain TWO! Come on Aberdeen, this isn’t F-ing Baltimore!
“Come on Aberdeen, this isn’t F-ing Baltimore!”
Could’ve fooled me.
@ Really?
What part of the article that explains they were provided TO Aberdeen PD by a nonprofit organization did you not understand? The nonprofit raised the money themselves, through private and corporate sponsorships. Nowhere in the article did it say that grant money or tax money was used to pay for these vests.
Read my comment again moron. I specifically mentioned the grant money (granted from the “Occasions” organization) AND (to be clear as possible for the idiot Joppatowne Resident) the tax money I mentioned DOES come from the taxpaying citizens of Aberdeen.
Their taxes pay for all other expenses related to these fine “officer animals”!
Things like food, required health exams and associated medicines, cages in patrol cars just to name a few.
Do you finally understand you block head?
In all fairness, the article is about the vests donated for the animals… not whether or not you and I think the animals are a good investment. Since you’ve opined, I’ll say I prefer money be spent on them over a lot of the other crazy ideas that local governments dream up to waste money on. Besides, animals that bite criminals? Hey, I’d donate to buy them metal teeth.
These dogs know to only bite criminals? Yeah right, and cops only shoot when they are fearful for their lives while the suspect runs from them. Good thing video doesn’t lie or plant evidence. Dogs will attack whomever their master says! What say you?
I never called you names asshole!
Was just wondering why the vests don’t go a little higher up around the neck? Guess it would be too cumbersome? Just think it would give the dog more protection.
Any higher on the neck and the dog would be uncomfortable.
Kevlar/aramid sheets aren’t very flexible once you layer a sufficient number.
I would rather pay for the police dogs than pay for your welfare check.
Now do us a favor and shut up.
You, dear sir are a racist bastard!
(yes, I can read between your lines).
I suppose there are no white people on welfare in your world. According to your logic only blacks are on welfare. You sir are the racist.