Port Hueneme accepts REACH donation to buy narcotics-search K-9, approves $26,800 appropriation

Port Hueneme City Council unanimously accepted a donation from REACH Wainimi and approved a net‑zero appropriation of $26,800 to acquire and equip a drug‑search, non‑apprehension K‑9.

The council vote follows months of community fundraising led by REACH and local partners. The city’s police chief described the dog as a narcotics detection and tracking resource that will be assigned as a collateral duty to a patrol officer and used for searches, tracking missing persons and as a community outreach tool.

WHY IT MATTERS

Council members and speakers said the K‑9 will improve the department’s ability to locate illegal drugs quickly, support regional agencies, and assist in public‑safety responses while using donated funds so the city budget will not be tapped.

WHAT THE COUNCIL DECIDED

Council approved staff recommendations to accept the REACH donation and to appropriate $26,800 to the general fund on a net‑zero basis for the acquisition, training and initial vehicle modifications tied to the canine program. The motion passed unanimously.

KEY DETAILS

- Donation and fundraising: REACH reported $42,287 collected from more than 100 donors, including the Channel Islands Yacht Club and community members; REACH treasurer said the group has accounts and records for each contribution and is prepared to transfer funds to the city as directed. The city will accept the donated funds and the appropriation covers the immediate costs estimated at $26,800; additional funds raised will remain available for future K‑9 needs and related expenses.

- Dog, handler and training: The dog identified by community trainers is named “Gator” and has already received preparatory training from a trainer willing to transfer the animal. Officer Joseph Tubbs has been identified as the intended handler; the assignment will be a collateral duty for a patrol officer, not a new funded position.

- Vehicles and equipment: The department plans to outfit an existing low‑mileage city vehicle and to install a canine platform; the report estimated about $9,000 for vehicle conversion and other startup equipment included in the appropriation.

- Regional use: The chief and council discussed that other agencies (including the Port and Department of Defense police) frequently request canine support and that local access to a narcotics detection K‑9 shortens response time compared with relying on outside agencies.

PUBLIC INPUT

Residents and community groups addressed the council in support of the donation. Becky Berning, a resident, said, “We need to have a drug dog to get rid of the drugs in our city.” Representatives from REACH and the Pacific Corinthian/Channel Islands Yacht Club explained the grassroots fundraising and asked the council to accept the donation.

NEXT STEPS

Staff will coordinate receipt of funds with REACH, finalize the purchase and training schedule, convert the chosen vehicle for K‑9 use, and formally assign the dog and handler under the department’s collateral‑duty policy. The city manager indicated staff will work with REACH on a memorandum of understanding or process for handling donated funds as part of a forthcoming donation policy.

PROVENANCE

topicintro: {"block_id":"b_6718.275","local_start":0,"local_end":173,"evidence_excerpt":"This is, reach Wainimi donation for police department canine unit. For this item, it's recommended that the council accept the reach donation, for the police department's canine unit for the purpose of obtaining a drug search only dog, and, approve a net 0 appropriation of the funds in the amount of, 26,800."}

topfinish: {"block_id":"b_9263.45","local_start":0,"local_end":222,"evidence_excerpt":"All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Hearing none, motion passes unanimously."}