Huff proposes K9 unit for Kimball police

Kimball Police Chief Darren Huff hopes the police department will soon have a K9 unit.

Huff proposed the establishment of the K9 unit at last Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Huff, along with Captain Andy Bremer and Officer Preston Walls, told the council that the unit would be beneficial to the city for a variety of reasons.

“Not only will a K9 be a great addition because of their keen senses, but dogs are a big deterrent in crime. Nine times out of 10 a suspect will surrender without a fight when a K9 unit is present on the scene or in pursuit,” Huff said.

Council members were concerned that the dog would be an expensive endeavor, especially since most of the time two dogs are involved when starting K9 units. Huff presented information regarding the start up funds for the K9 unit, which included grants and additional donations through private entities.

The Kimball Police Department has received two grants of $30,000 for use in starting a K9 unit. A Chevy Tahoe for use as the K9 unit vehicle has been located and the grant funds will cover the purchase of that. Other various training equipment and training itself is all covered by the grant funds and the money already raised on behalf of the K9 unit.

If the city council approves the program, Huff and Bremer will be the handlers of the dogs - a female Dutch Shepherd and a grant gifted K9 that has not been acquired yet.

Having a narcotics detecting dog will allow for stronger cases and a higher conviction rate in cases involving the detection of narcotics by the K9 unit, Huff said. The second dog will be trained primarily for the detection of explosives, and it would be the only bomb dog in the western Nebraska panhandle.

Huff said it would cost the police department about $5,000 per year for the K9 program. He said the police department intends to have an annual dinner in support of the K9 unit, as well as fundraisers throughout the year. There are also several grants that can be obtained to get equipment for the K9 teams. In addition to the funds that can be raised, funds can be earned through asset forfeitures and seizures. If the narcotics K9 detects drugs and that leads to the police seizing the drugs, Huff said the police department gets money every time that happens.

Huff said there is a growing drug presence in Kimball. Methamphetamine and LSD are two drugs that are increasing in popularity in the area, and Huff hopes the K9 unit will help stop them from spreading.

The council will place the item on the agenda at its March 3 meeting, and could then decide whether to allow Huff to move forward with the project.

The council approved keno funds for the post prom committee. Joelle Fiehtner was present at the city council meeting, representing the post prom committee, and said they requested $3,000 from the city. She said the total amount needed for post prom is $6,000.

The idea behind post prom is that it gives the teenagers something to do after prom that does not involve getting into trouble or drinking. Fiehtner explained that the post prom would be held in the practice gym at the Kimball Junior/Senior High School. By holding post prom at the school, the post prom committee believes they are able to direct the funds in their budget elsewhere to make the event more exciting and enticing for the teens. There was mention of renting sumo suits and other games that will be “really fun” for the students, according to Fiehtner. The council approved the $3,000 request for the post prom committee. Prom will be held March 21.

The city council also approved the class C liquor license application submitted by the Big Mamou Steakhouse, LLC. It was also approved by the city council that the Big Mamou be approved as a local outlet for the keno lottery.