A new police dog patrol unit is on the streets of Jeannette after incredible support from the community helped handler Sgt. Jim Phillips keep a promise he made years ago.

The entire cost of the 2020 Ford Explorer Interceptor — $47,611 — was funded solely by donations to the department’s police dog program.

“It really wouldn’t be possible without everybody’s help,” Phillips said. “Words can’t really explain how much I appreciate everybody’s support.”

The SUV has been on the streets for about two weeks after council approved the purchase in September. Phillips put about $28,000 out of his fundraising account toward the SUV to replace an old 2011 Ford Explorer that was not equipped for police use. He went to council in September seeking the remainder of the funds.

That’s where the community stepped in.

Elliott Company, headquartered in the city, chipped in $11,000. The rest of the bill was donated by community members and businesses, Phillips said. Arees, an 8-year-old German shepherd, joined the force about six years ago and has since been involved in numerous arrests, searches and community events.

The support helped Phillips fulfill a promise that the department’s police dog program wouldn’t become a cost burden to city taxpayers. He holds gun bashes annually, except in 2020, and sells T-shirts that help with Arees’ costs for equipment and training. He gets food donated monthly by Tractor Supply in East Huntingdon.

The new SUV has all the bells and whistles to make sure Arees is safe inside. It has temperature sensors that will alert Phillips if the inside becomes dangerous and a narrower kennel to keep Arees in place.

Phillips said he hopes to have a gun bash this year, as long as social distancing guidelines around the coronavirus pandemic remain relaxed in November. He typically gets a lot of help from family, friends and fellow officers in putting together and running the event.

“The biggest thing is the help,” he said. “I really rely on my family and friends to help me do this each year.”

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