Jeannette council OKs new K-9 vehicle, seeks additional donations for program

A new police SUV for Jeannette’s K-9 funded solely by donations is closer to fruition, but the city still is short about $7,000.

Council on Thursday approved the $47,611 purchase of a 2020 Ford Interceptor for Sgt. James Phillips and police dog Arees and accepted $41,000 in donations for it.

Police Chief Shannon Binda said Phillips plans to hold a fundraiser in the spring to get the remaining amount and thanked all those who have financially supported the department’s K-9 program.

Mayor Curtis Antoniak is hopeful that community members will pitch in sooner to replace the pair’s 2011 Ford Explorer that is not equipped for police use, rather than the city dipping into a reserve account.

“Hopefully we get some donations, if not, Sgt. Phillips is going to take money from the gun bash next year,” he said.

Phillips made a pitch to council Tuesday to put $30,000 in donations to the program toward a new vehicle purchase. Elliott Company, which is headquartered in the city, notified Antoniak Wednesday that it would chip in $11,000.

“Elliott Company’s an angel to this city,” he said. “The K-9 unit is so important.”

Add-ons needed for police dog use drove up the price. But Binda said the purchase was sorely needed to replace the pair’s 2011 Ford Explorer.

“It’s starting to show its age, constantly at the shop,” he said.

Phillips holds regular fundraisers for the program and has $10,000 remaining after the donation. Arees, a 7-year-old German shepherd, joined the force about five years ago and has since been involved in numerous arrests, search warrants and community events. Phillips was promoted to sergeant Thursday.