Paducah Elks Lodge Donates To Police K9 Units

Local Police K9 units will be a lot safer now, thanks to the Paducah Elks Lodge.

On Wednesday the Elks recently donated several thousand dollars to the McCracken County and Ballard County Sheriff's Departments for ballistic vests, collars, electronics, and leads for their K9 units. Elks members told West Kentucky Star the dogs are important, and just as vulnerable as officers.

Sheriffs from McCracken County and Ballard were both present, along with the K9s and their handlers.  The event featured a presentation on how the dogs hunt for drugs, how they handle someone that's retreating, as well as a game of hide and seek with the K9s to demonstrate their drug-tracking abilities.

McCracken County Sheriff Matt Carter said, “K9s are a vital support to us in our efforts to combat our illegal drugs problem. They can encounter some of the same dangers deputies are subjected to during their courses of duty. The Elks' generosity in providing funding for this equipment helps keep our K9s safe while offsetting costs that we would otherwise accrue.“ 

Carter said illegal drugs are often involved with a multitude of other crimes.  Since increasing the drug division by one detective, the department saw a 92% increase in drug arrests during the first 6 months of 2019, compared to last year.  

Also, an 11% decrease in felony crimes has been reported and a 3% decrease in misdemeanor crimes.  

Carter said, "At the end of the day, our desire is to help those addicted become productive pillars in our community, live a crime and drug free life, which equates to a better and safer place to live and raise our families."