Mayor Dylan Runrell and an assistant police chief appealed to St. Augustine Beach residents to support a community fundraising effort to replace the city’s retired police dog.

Assistant Chief Travis said the department’s “most critical need is for a k 9,” noting that the previous canine, Kilo, “passed away a little more than a year ago.” He said the department established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Friends of the St. Augustine Beach Police Department, to raise money and recruit volunteers for a replacement.

The appeal stressed the cost of a police canine and asked for both financial contributions and volunteer time. “Time is valuable just like the money,” Travis said. He listed several ways to donate: a QR code on a donation box at the police department’s front counter, a Facebook page under Friends of SABPD that includes a Venmo link, and acceptance of cash or checks.

Mayor Runrell endorsed the effort, saying, “I back the blue,” and encouraged residents to visit the police department to scan the QR code or use the Facebook donation link. No formal city action or vote was taken; the exchange was a brief public appeal to the community.

The department did not provide an estimate of the total cost to acquire and train a replacement canine, describing the program only as “quite expensive.” Residents seeking to help were asked to contact the police department or use the Friends of SABPD Facebook page for details.