With the Greenfield Police Departments efforts to raise funds for a new K-9 unable to gain much traction, a longtime law enforcement officer is planning a classic car and motorcycle show to hopefully make up the difference.
Greenfield Police Chief Jeremiah Oyer said his department currently has one full-time K-9, but the dog is getting close to retirement and is having some health issues.
“He’s getting old. We’ve been collecting donations for some time, but we’re nowhere near what we need,” Oyer said. “He can’t make it to work some days, but hopefully he can last another year or so until we can get another dog in here.”
Oyer said that while he also has his own K-9 he uses, what the department really needs is at least to full-time dogs on duty. But they do not come cheap.
Oyer estimated that one K-9 would cost $12,500, and that’s just to purchase it and get it trained with an officer. There are other costs to properly equip the dog.
The classic and antique cars and classic motorcycles show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 at the Greenfield Eagles Lodge, located at 1275 N. Washington St. Registration is from 10 a.m. to noon and there will be a parade of vehicles entered in the show through Greenfield from approximately 2-3 p.m.
The show is being organized by Leonard Sines, a Washington C.H. resident who has been a reserve officer with the Greenfield Police Department since 2004.
“The town needs a dog,” said Sines. “I’ve been a law enforcement officer for 49 years and I can see the need for a dog to help fight drugs in that town. They need a dog badly.”
Oyer said he has had a K-9 for 10 to 12 years and has found them invaluable.
“They’re very useful and helpful items,” Oyer said. “They are a big help to us in taking drugs off the street more than anything else, but we do use them for tracking and other things, too.”
Sines said that if enough funds are raised to purchase a dog, it would be assigned to Greenfield, but would also be used to assist other law enforcement agencies. He said all proceeds from the show will be used toward the purchase of a K-9.
The car and motorcycle show will also include food, live bands and raffles, Sines said.
To preregister for the show, email information to [email protected]. by Sept. 30. Include your name, address, phone number and make and model of the vehicle being entered. Judging will be according to the people’s choice from 3-4 p.m. Trophies will be awarded at 5 p.m.
Sines said that anyone wanting to make a donation to the K-9 fund will be able to drop them off at the registration booth at the show. Oyer said donations can also be made during business hours at Merchants National Bank in Greenfield, where a fund has already been set up. He said donations can also be dropped off at the police department.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or [email protected].