Cambridge Springs on hunt for money to buy new police dog

The pending retirement of arguably the most popular officer on the borough police department has co-workers on the hunt for funds to replace him.

[StopSBS]

I am all for police dogs. They do a great service to the community. If you don't get the new dog, then perhaps the money you have already could be used to educate people in Cambridge Springs about the effects of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Just a thought.

[Brenda1]

I hope the funds are found for a new dog... Bak has been a blessing to our community.
GBKY

[BoomOfSteel]

In this time of financial crisis, I don't feel the money is justified for a new pet for the cops. Let them read a book to keep busy in between watching the traffic lights and stop signs.
I would be interested to know several things. How much was the last dog? Who paid for it's food and vet care? How many drug dealers, note, DEALERS, did it put a stop to? Because when you pull someone over who has marijuana ash in there ashtray, or has one blunt on them, you have only stopped the person who was going to use it, not the people selling it. And chances are they will just go buy more anyway. Possession doesn't put you away for any long period. But the CSPD doesn't care how big the bust is for drugs, just the added publicity and revenue to justify there existence. Lastly, I would be curious to the dollar value of the fines this dog has helped the boro generate. Does it offset the cost of the animal?
I see a good public relations value with small children, but not really with any over the age of say......13-14. But you can get any dog to be the PR dog. Small kids are amused with any dog, whether he sits on command or just sits there sniffing his privates.
This is just another expensive toy for traffic patrol to play with while waiting for someone to roll through a stop sign, IMO. Like the lie detector test that no one down there knows how to operate.

[Brenda1]

If I am properly informed, the funds have been raised. Many individuals were in favor of a new dog as well. Bak hasn't been a burden to the community as other 'police dogs' and their handlers have been elsewhere. And I don't believe Bak would bite anyone unless commanded to do so, or if he perceived his handler was in danger.
GBKY

[BoomOfSteel]

That's fantastic the funds were raised. Was it donations and fund raising that bought the first dog or was it soccer mom rolling through stop signs? I think I have asked legitimate questions that your post didn't answer. You seem to be a law abiding citizen without fear of the law. Maybe you could stop and ask the Chief, or maybe a council member. You might be surprised.

[Brenda1]

I'm sure I will talk to the Chief and try to get you some answers. Deal?
GBKY

[BoomOfSteel]

Sounds good. I doubt they have broken it down to what can be directly attributed to the dog but you never know.

[Brenda1]

I do know the dog's presence in our community does deter some drug use.
GBKY

[Brenda1]

Sorry, Bak isn't trained to detect OTC arthritis meds.
GBKY

[BoomOfSteel]

What inside information do you have that you KNOW it deters drug use?

[TaxPayer]

I am sick and tired of the taxes we have to pay in this community. We are HORRIBLY OVERSTAFFED in our police department for a town of this size and of economic stature. The last thing we need is another dog. The last mutt didn't do enough to justify it's existence, let alone the staff that was required to handle it. Besides, we are now have a terrible reputation because of our NAZI type police. A lot of other communities, larger, busier and more productive I might add, do not even have a police force. It was a real nice touch when they ticked two people at a funeral a few weeks ago (not me by the way), real intelligent huh? CUT OUR COSTS!!! All we need is one officer and we definitely DO NOT NEED ANOTHER MUTT!!!!

[Brenda1]

Are you sure your from the same Cambridge Springs?
GBKY

[BoomOfSteel]

I agree completely taxpayer. And if anything, this officer needs to work nights, not days. How much crime is there in CS between 8am.-5pm.? That has to be one of the easier jobs in the state. Cop in a town with little to no crime.
The only reason the taxpayers don't go to council to complain about the waste of tax dollars is fear of retribution.

[Brenda1]

Well, I guess you'll run for council this time around then, right?
GBKY

[BoomOfSteel]

One person cannont make a difference, contrary to popular belief. Like back when there was a vote to remove the boros 6,000 grand they gave the FD yearly when the FD was making 60,000 on bingo revenue. It's not that I don't think they deserve support, Did they need it? 1-2 people who were going to vote against giving the money caved in the face of the FD membership who came to the meeting to get the cash. Even after repeated attempts by council to see the bingo revenue, they never produced it.
One councilmen is quoted by the Meadville Tribune as saying "These are times of prosperity, lets share the wealth with the fire dept." LOL

[TaxPayer]

Yes I am from CS, I don't know why I am listed as Erie. I am very discouraged as I have heard more than once in my business travels that people intentionally avoid coming to or driving through CS due to the un-reasonable police enforcement. I am sure that all of the businesses in CS appreciate it. I am considering running for council to remedy this situation.

[BoomOfSteel]

Well, then your the one person who can possibly make that difference. You have my support. And I am sure I could muster up some more for you. When the time is right just let me know who you are so I know who to vote for.

[Brenda1]

Got a few answers for you. All the money was DONATED to get the dog, and very quickly, mind you! The greater part of the community IS behind getting this dog. The cost to the borough is dog food, basically. Others have chosen to shoulder the other expenditures involving the police dog.
Bak has helped to curb drug use in the borough, known drug dealers have left town.
That's all I'm able to share with you. This is a great little town, and I want to see it get even better. Keeping our town and schools drug-free is a step in the right direction, and a police dog is an effective partner to that end.
GBKY

[Brenda1]

TaxPayer wrote:

... I am very discouraged as I have heard more than once in my business travels that people intentionally avoid coming to or driving through CS due to the un-reasonable police enforcement. I am sure that all of the businesses in CS appreciate it. I am considering running for council to remedy this situation.

So what were they doing that they experienced such unreasonable treatment? Curious as to what those complaints could be...
GBKY

[Bubba]

TaxPayer wrote:

I am sick and tired of the taxes we have to pay in this community. We are HORRIBLY OVERSTAFFED in our police department for a town of this size and of economic stature. The last thing we need is another dog. The last mutt didn't do enough to justify it's existence, let alone the staff that was required to handle it. Besides, we are now have a terrible reputation because of our NAZI type police. A lot of other communities, larger, busier and more productive I might add, do not even have a police force. It was a real nice touch when they ticked two people at a funeral a few weeks ago (not me by the way), real intelligent huh? CUT OUR COSTS!!! All we need is one officer and we definitely DO NOT NEED ANOTHER MUTT!!!!

Looks like your from Erie! Mind your own business!!