Sgt. Kelvin Alcox - K-9 unit supervisor for the Hammond Police Department - had a meeting recently with Dave Innes. Dave is co-chairman of Hammond Crime Watch (CITY-WIDE) and also in charge of Media Relations.
In short, Sgt. Alcox stressed the need for a K-9 kennel/shelter/training facility. Currently, the HPD owns the land directly next to the Hammond Police station. It is at this location where the K-9 facility will be built.
Shelter Features:
- Kennels/Dog Houses - Indoor/Outdoor facilities.
- Heating Pads for the winter months
- Bathing Area
- Training Field/Demonstration Area with jumps, tunnels, etc…
- Surrounded by a 6-foot fence
When an officer has to fill out a report, they are sometimes in the police station for a good hour and a half. This facility would allow the dogs to stay there - instead of in the squad cars. This would save gas year-round.
When an officer is out of town, their K-9 partners could stay in this facility. These K-9 “officers” could then be fed and taken care of by other police personnel that they recognize. You and I could NOT feed these dogs, or take them out for a walk. They would see us as a threat or combatant.
This facility would also be open to other K-9 officers in Lake County.
Dave has already suggested that all Crime Watch groups throughout Hammond ask each member present during their meetings to donate at least $1.00 for this K-9 fundraiser. Any checks given should be made out to “Hammond Crime Watch” - and specifically “ear-marked” for K-9 purposes.
A K-9 account has already been set up at:
First Federal Savings & Loan
(Hohman Ave. & Rimbach IN DOWNTOWN HAMMOND)
Any money collected should be deposited into that account. Our hope is to eventually give Sgt. Alcox a huge donation of “seed” money so that construction can start. Alcox is presently getting approximate costs for the building and maintenance of the K-9 facility.
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