Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
K-9 Will Detect Drugs, Be Trained In ‘Bite Work’
The Kimball City Council voted unanimously to add a second K-9 unit to the Kimball Police Department at the council meeting on Tuesday, July 2.
The unit’s dog, a Belgian Malinois named Trudy, will cost $7,000, significantly less than the going rate of $25,000, Police Chief Jose Ruiz said. Trudy will be trained along with the city’s other police dog, Lucy, at Ragnar Defense in Casper, Wyoming.
Trudy will be trained as a dual purpose dog, detecting narcotics and performing apprehension or bite work. A loan has been secured from a local bank to pay for Trudy, with the first payment due in October, which will fall under the 2024-25 budget.
According to Ruiz, another dog is needed to provide breaks for the handlers and reducing overtime costs. Ruiz explained to the council that Trudy is necessary due to the city’s expected growth and for coverage seven days a week.
Like Lucy, Trudy will need her own vehicle and the chief requested budget approval for more officers to accommodate the expected growth.
Moving from dogs to stop signs, the council rescinded a motion from last month’s meeting to install a four way stop at 7th and High School streets. Street Superintendent Jim Shoup suggested that they postpone the stop sign installation and monitor the traffic safety and congestion until they can better understand the impact of the new apartments.
The meeting continued with Councilman Gabe Ingram moving to the podium to ask for Keno funds for Kimball Farmers Day.
Farmers Day provides free hamburgers, games, parade prizes and dignitary awards. The celebration’s operating costs are $11,000, and Ingram asked for $1,000 from Keno funds.
The 2024 Farmers Day will be the 98th annual celebration. The Keno funds were approved by the council.
The next council meeting is schedules for 5 p.m. July 16.
