By Payton Tholstrup

The Concordia Police Department hasn’t had a K-9 Unit for almost a decade. In a recent city commissioner’s meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd, Chief Brent Gering presented the commissioners with information on the benefits of having a K-9 for public safety as well as drug enforcement.

Gering reported that there is $6,426.59 in a K-9 fund to restart the program, as well as $24,000 available in grant funding. The K-9 unit’s total cost would be about $33,000 and leave a small balance that Gering said cash from the opioid fund could help with.

Questions about the proposed unit included topics such as long-term maintenance and ongoing training. The commissioners agreed that combatting drug trafficking and enhancing community safety is important, deciding to proceed with the grant application for the K-9 unit.