Arlington honors K‑9 Oso with plaque; residents urge 'In God We Trust' display and debate drug policy in public comment

The Arlington City Council opened its meeting with a presentation honoring K‑9 Oso, a dual‑purpose police dog the department said served for more than seven years. Sergeant Kenny, who served as a canine handler, recounted choosing Oso, training together and operational highlights; he said the dog was certified in narcotics and patrol work and later was retired to live with his handler's family after promotion.

“OSO was on the job for over 7 years,” a city official said, adding that during that time the dog and unit responded to thousands of calls and were involved in dozens of apprehensions. The official summarized Oso's service record and the council approved placing a memorial plaque and beginning a memorial wall in the police lobby to honor K‑9 officers who have passed.

During the public comment period, Holly Sloan Buchanan of 6811 Woodlands Way asked the council to display the phrase “In God We Trust” on or near the city building, saying the motto reflects founding principles. She provided a handout to council members and emphasized faith as an element of national history.

Another resident, Jay Lindbergh, used public comment time to discuss the history and costs of the 'war on drugs,' urging policymakers to prioritize rehabilitation and economic stability for people recovering from addiction and warning about the long‑term costs when policy incentives are designed poorly. Lindbergh said policymakers should avoid repeating earlier policy mistakes and focus on measures that break cycles of addiction rather than simply expanding incarceration.

The council offered brief thanks to staff and the police for July 4 public safety work and moved on to its business agenda.