Moorestown To Look At Bringing K-9 Program Back To Police Department

Moorestown, NJ -- The Moorestown Police Department is looking to have its own K-9 cops back on the streets, possibly as soon as next year.

The department currently calls in K-9 units from surrounding areas when the need arises, but with a 20-year history of K-9 cops, Chief Lee Lieber told council the department would like to reinstate its own program.

“They’re a very useful tool in police work,” Lieber told council during its meeting on Sept. 26.

Lieber suggested they could start with one dog and maybe add another one down the line at a small financial burden to the township.

He also said there are two officers currently on the force that have younger dogs they may be able to use.

The dogs could be used for patrols and for detection.

Moorestown Police last had a K-9 cop of their own back in 2007, according to Lieber.

“I think it’s useful. We could use them for search and rescue,” Mayor Phil Garwood said.

“That’s a big part of it,” Lieber said. “Last year we had an elderly person with alzheimer’s wander off. We used a dog from a neighboring town to help us find her. That could’ve been a dangerous situation. It would be helpful in that situation, for a lost child, for someone with special needs.”

Deputy Mayor Victoria Napolitano said that during a fundraiser for the police unity tour, she spoke to an officer who was passionate about the need for K-9 cops in the force, telling her the town would be better with that program in place.

“It’s a great idea, and it’s a continuation of what we’ve already done,” Councilwoman Stacey Jordan said.

Council was in agreement about the need, and Garwood said they would like at moving forward with the idea during the next budget process.

The attached image is a Patch file photo