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Community group asks council to agendize $42,000 donation for police canines
Summary
REACH representatives told the City Council they raised about $42,000 in private donations to fund purchase, training and care for a new police canine and asked the council to agendize formal acceptance of the donation so the gift can move forward.
PORT HUENEME, Calif. — Representatives of REACH told the City Council on Monday they raised about $42,000 from donors to purchase, train, house and care for a police canine focused on drug detection, including fentanyl, and asked that the council agendize formal acceptance of the donation.
REACH vice president Bobby Martinez said the funds were raised by local supporters and are not city funds. Martinez asked that the city include the donation on a forthcoming agenda so that REACH can officially present the check and the city can accept the resource. Martinez said the group expects the canine will assist police in intercepting dangerous drugs and in protecting public health and safety.
Council response and next steps Councilmembers thanked the group, asked staff and the police department to prepare a staff report outlining conditions for accepting private donations for public safety equipment and any related ongoing costs, and asked about foundation or nonprofit handling, the terms of gift acceptance, and long‑term maintenance costs. Council directed staff to bring back a report to clarify if any conditions are attached to the donation and how the city would receive and manage the funds.
Context The REACH representative said the fundraising goal was surpassed and that the donation is intended to cover purchase, training and care costs for a new drug‑detection canine; council requested the police department and finance staff prepare a short report addressing acceptance and budgeting issues before formal presentation of the funds.
