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Anonymous donor covers $107,534 for Upland Police Foundation canine replacement; council acknowledges gift
Summary
The Upland Police Officers Foundation received an anonymous pledge of $107,534 to fund a second police canine, vehicle outfitting and training; council members and the police chief publicly acknowledged the donation during the consent calendar discussion.
The Upland City Council on Monday publicly acknowledged an anonymous $107,534 donation to the Upland Police Officers Foundation earmarked to replace the department’s second K‑9 and pay for a vehicle, outfitting and related training.
Chief Marcela Blanco (identified in the meeting as “the chief”) explained the foundation had raised funds specifically to replace a retired canine and that the anonymous gift covered the full estimate for a dog, vehicle and training. “We had an anonymous donor, legitimately anonymous... donated the total amount for the K‑9 program to our foundation,” the chief said.
The council pulled the consent item briefly so staff and the chief could describe how the foundation uses donated funds. According to the chief, the foundation operates three primary programs: officer training beyond state POST minimums, equipment that falls outside the department’s budget, and youth scholarships (up to $302.50 per child) to enable participation in recreation programs. The foundation, formed more than 28 years ago, also plans a Topgolf fundraiser on Oct. 5 and has social‑media donation links available.
City council members thanked the donor and the foundation. Council member Breitling and other members encouraged public support for the foundation’s fundraising events. Staff said the foundation would identify and purchase a suitable vehicle and complete officer and handler training before bringing the canine program into service, with staff estimating the replacement canine could be in place by early next year.
No formal expenditure ordinance was required in the meeting; the donation was presented as a foundation gift that supports the police department’s charitable foundation and programmatic needs.
