Freeport approves retirement and donation of police K9 Abigail; council also declares obsolete ticket writers surplus

The council approved two police-department surplus resolutions, including the retirement and donation of a longtime department K9 and the disposition of obsolete ticket-writing devices.

Police Chief H. asked the council to deem the department’s K9, Abigail, surplus property so she could be retired and donated to one of her former handlers. Chief H. said Abigail was obtained in approximately 2019, has served as a narcotics single-purpose detection dog and in recent months developed health concerns. The chief said the veterinarian recommended retirement and the department proposed a donation contract obligating the adopter to return Abigail to the department if they can no longer care for her or if euthanasia is considered. "She is a member of our staff and a member of our team," Chief H. said; "we'd like to then do a donation of her to one of her previous handlers." Council moved, seconded and approved the retirement and donation unanimously.

On a separate resolution, the department asked council to declare 10 handheld ticket writers surplus after the manufacturer ended operating-system support last year and the city deployed replacement devices. Staff said the obsolete devices will be data-wiped and sent for secure e-recycling or destruction. The resolution passed by voice vote and staff said they would ensure data is wiped to prevent information exposure.

Next steps: staff will finalize the donation contract for Abigail and process the surplus equipment for secure destruction or recycling and update inventory records.