Rockford Sun

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) on Dec. 19 attended a K-9 police fundraiser for the Loves Park Police Department. 

Taking place at Fozzy’s Bar and Grill in Loves Park, the event was to raise money for two K-9 trainings and equipment, among other items. The department exceeded its goal of $10,000 before the fundraiser even took place, according to Illinois News Today. 

“Great turnout for the K-9 Unit fundraiser today,” Syverson said in a Facebook post. “They raised over $35,000.  Always proud to support the BLUE.” 

Deputy Chief Mike McCammond was pleased with the results of the fundraiser, according to My State Line. 

“Our K-9 units are invaluable. They do a lot not only in the fight against crime, but also in public relations for the community,” McCammond said, according to Illinois News Today. “Community support to this day is already overwhelming. Just reaching out to the local community business has already exceeded our goals even before we started.”

According to the Chicago Police Department, the average cost of a police dog is more than $9,000. The department utilizes mostly German Shepherds, but also has Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers. These dogs work for an average of 10 years before retiring with their handlers’ families.

According to the Chicago Police Department, when K-9’s aren’t working, they go home with their handlers, as the dog is the handlers’ responsibility 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Although Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has claimed she does not support defunding the police, 400 police officer positions were cut in Chicago in 2020.  Between 2015 and 2020, $17.3 million in taxpayer dollars went toward guarding “unnamed city officials” in Chicago according to Forbes. Lightfoot's term began in 2019.