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Police chief reports record toy drive, major equipment donation and K‑9 funding
Summary
The police chief told the commission the department gave gifts to a record 302 children in 2025, received an approximately $80,000 equipment donation from a local manufacturer, increased downtown patrols and has funds for a fifth K‑9 dog.
At the Jan. 6 meeting of the Franklin City Police Merit Commission the Police Chief highlighted community support and operational changes, citing a record toy drive, an equipment donation and expanded downtown patrols.
The Chief said the department’s toy drive — run since 2018 — served 219 children in 2023, 246 in 2024 and 302 in 2025. "I feel like that's something good for the community, and it's good community partnership for us," the Chief said.
He also announced a donation of rifle equipment and suppressors from a local manufacturer he described as roughly "80‑some thousand dollars" worth of gear the department otherwise could not have afforded. The Chief presented the donation as evidence of local partnership but did not provide a formal written valuation in the meeting packet.
Operational changes include ramped‑up downtown patrols with a full‑time assignment to Officer Brewer and a rotating second officer aimed at increasing foot patrol and community engagement. The Chief said the department plans to deploy bikes and adjust routes seasonally with infrastructure changes in summer.
On K‑9 operations, he said donated funds would allow the department to acquire a fifth dog when they are ready to expand the unit; the Chief noted the dogs "are all doing well." The Chief also referenced "Benny," who remains assigned to the office and has been seen less frequently.
The commission took no separate vote on the donations or patrol changes; these items were presented as operational updates during the Chief's report.
