GRAND BLANC, Mich. – “Edo,” a four-year old German Shepherd who’s part of a revitalized Flint Police Department K-9 unit, has a new adoptive family – Sonitrol Tri-County, which announced today an agreement with the Flint Police Foundation for support of Edo and the K-9 unit.
Under the agreement, Sonitrol Tri-County will be funding Edo’s food and veterinary expenses, together with necessary training equipment and toys through the Flint Police Foundation. Created in 2014, the foundation funds programs that build police-community relationships, personnel training, and equipment using donations from the public and area businesses. Foundation funding goes to items not covered under the regular police department budget, but deemed vital to effective policing.
The Flint Police Department has not had a K-9 unit since 2007, when it was eliminated due to budget cuts. At the time, the K-9 unit had four dogs. Today, the four-legged force is now just one – Edo, who is expert in bomb-sniffing and human tracking. However, the foundation is hoping it can secure funding to add more dogs to the K-9 unit to cover patrol shifts 24/7
“We’re grateful to Sonitrol Tri-County for their support of this most necessary policing program,” said Flint Police Chief James Tolbert. “I hope this will inspire more individuals and businesses to support the Flint Police Foundation so that we can continue to better protect and serve our citizens.”
Sonitrol Tri-County President Mike Wanstreet noted the company has a longstanding record of assistance to government and community agencies in both people and financial resources. “We’re happy to support Edo and the K-9 unit, and wish Edo many safe and healthy years of service with Flint Police,” he said.