Chief: Holliston Should Consider K9

Over the past decade, Holliston police have encountered more than 150 situations where the services of a police dog may have helped solve a crime or keep officers safer. 

Currently, Holliston relies on the services of K9 units in other communities, including Ashland and Bellingham, or the Massachusetts State Police, or goes without. Police Chief John Moore sees a lot of good reasons for changing that.  

"I've studied this and I think it's a good investment for the town," Moore told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night as he presented a proposal prepared with the help of Detective David Gatchell. 

Dogs can be used in a number of situations, Moore said, including recovery of evidence, assisting with arrests and in building and car searches. They also can have a deterrent effect, be a positive tool for community relations and can be used to avoid putting officers in harm's way.  

Last winter, Moore noted, a series of house break-ins in Medway was solved with the help of Bellingham's K9. A trained dog could also be valuable in helping to keep drugs out of schools, he noted in his presentation. 

The main downsides are cost-related, said Moore, with tested dogs themselves costing as much as $7,500. Training is another expense and includes the cost of covering an officer's time away--up to 14 weeks--for training with the dog. Ongoing costs include training upkeep as well as food and grooming, which are sometimes donated by local vets or pet stores, Moore said. 

Selectmen expressed support for the idea, with concerns mainly focused on the expense.  Chairman Jay Marsden said he worried about the long-term costs and commitment. "I would hate to see us start something and then not be able to support it long-term," he said. 

"There are a lot of grants out there," said Moore. "If we decided to go in this direction, that would be something we could explore to defray some of the startup costs." 

Also Monday night, Selectmen heard from several residents of South St. who are upset that the recent repaving of that road resulted in it being widened in places.

Residents said the roadway has already become more inviting to speeders. Marsden said he walked and measured the road and noticed it seems to be wider in some spots.

But Highway Superintendent Tom Smith said the road could not have been widened significantly because stormwater basins would no longer work. "I did the job warranted on that road," Smith said. The board agreed to discuss options for stepped-up enforcement with Chief Moore. 

In other business, the board:  

-  Named three local towns' police chiefs to a panel that will screen applicants for the Holliston Police Department lieutenant's position. Chiefs Richard Flannery of Hopkinton, Peter McGowan of Dover and Al Gordon of Westborough will screen candidates. 

- Approved a letter to Lt. Gov. Tim Murray expressing the town's ongoing concerns about the prospect of a casino being built in Milford.  

- Approved event permits for the Walk Against Cancer on Oct. 16 and the Cycle for Life on Oct. 1.