Cádiz Police Lieutenant Ron Carter addresses the Cádiz City Council about the importance of having a K-9 unit.
CADIZ – The Cádiz Police Department will receive a new K-9, thanks to the efforts of one officer.
Lt. Ron Carter of the Cadiz Police Department reminded the council Thursday night that if he found the money for a K-9 unit that wouldn’t cost the town any money, he could go ahead with the plan. And he did.
Carter told the council that he received a donation offer from MarkWest Energy for $10,000 and another from Encino Energy for an additional $12,500. Carter later said that this covers the full cost of operating a K-9 unit.
Cadiz police had a K-9 unit several years ago, but when the officer who was trained with the dog left the department, it was discontinued.
Carter said the idea to retrieve it came after arresting an individual he knew to be “bring narcotics to our town” but that he could not legally register the vehicle because he did not have a K-9 unit. After that, boss Ryan McCann gave him the go-ahead to start up a new unit.
“They generously agreed and believe a K-9 was needed and have donated $10,000 to the people of Cadiz for a K-9 program.” Carter said of MarkWest Energy. “And Encino Energy, she was very adamant, the support of a K-9 and Encino Energy would donate $12,500 to the people of Cadiz for a police K-9 program.”
Carter said the K-9 would be purchased through Tri-State Canine Services LLC in Warren, Ohio. The cost is $14,500 of the $22,500 donated. The rest of the money would be used to outfit a cruiser with a K-9 cage and other accessories.
Carter said he would be willing to be the officer to work with K-9, as he has done before and made more than 300 drug arrests. He also noted a time when K-9 alerted him to a man coming up behind him with a knife during another traffic stop.
It’s no secret. If someone has drugs in his car, he is not giving his consent to the police to search his car.” Carter said. “So how do you fight it? you can’t. You’re practically inviting narcotics into your community if you don’t have a way to fight them.”
He said you could also get K-9 food from We Lov Pets in New Philadelphia, Ohio. But he said he would provide dog food in case a supplier deal fell through. Carter said he was told by Tri-State Canine that Cadiz would likely qualify for a $75,000 grant.
“That would go into the police K-9 fund for anything the dog might need, vet bills, et cetera.” Carter said.
Mayor John Migliori said he was initially against the idea, but has now changed his mind because of the effort Carter put in, plus it didn’t cost the village any money.
“I was against it at first, but I’m open-minded enough to listen to what you have to say and I admire your perseverance on it.” Migliori said. “And if you get what you say you do and can do, and it doesn’t cost this town anything, then I don’t know how any of us could be against that.”
Carter asked the town for $250 a year to “veterinary bills” until the police department receives the grant, which he said he had previously discussed with Migliori. Councilman Eric Miller said he agreed with Migliori and that it was a must for the K-9 unit. The motion was unanimously approved by Councilmembers Miller, John Vermillion, Sal Deluca, Albert Peters, Derek Sefsick and Billy Hyde.
An amendment to a police ordinance adjusting wages was also unanimously approved to take effect Jan. 1, 2023. McCann would move to $25 an hour from $23 an hour; Carter from $20 to $23; and four other officers at $19.50 per hour from $16.50.
