$11,000 will assist in recruiting, training new drug dog in Wasilla
July 12, 2017 JUNEAU —As a part of continuing work to build a Safer Alaska, Governor Bill Walker on Sunday donated $11,000 of his salary to support the Wasilla Police Department’s fundraiser for a new drug detection K9. In April, the department’s only drug detection K9, Marshal, was euthanized after a veterinarian found inoperable, cancerous masses in his abdomen.
“Building a Safer Alaska is my administration's top priority, which is why I declared a disaster on the opioid epidemic so the state can prioritize response,” Governor Walker said. “Key to that response is prevention, and drug dogs are an important component of that. The Mat-Su area has lost a valuable police dog, and I am pledging that a portion of my pay cut goes toward this worthwhile effort to find a replacement. This fundraising effort was a success thanks to the volunteer efforts and donations by hundreds of Valley residents.”
In his January State of the State Address, Governor Walker announced his intention to lead by example during difficult fiscal times by taking a one-third salary reduction, and submitted legislation (House Bill 71 and Senate Bill 31) to allow him to do so. Neither bill was acted upon; as a result, Governor Walker will donate one-third of his salary to support important community initiatives that are likely to result in cost savings to the State. The $11,000 donation to the Wasilla Police Department is the first quarter of those donations.
Drug detection K9s have played an important role in the state’s opioid epidemic response. They assist investigators in locating and confiscating opioids and other banned substances, preventing their distribution and consumption, and saving the state potentially thousands of dollars in response costs. M.O.C.H.A., one of the Alaska State Troopers’ newest K9s, is already responsible for the seizure of over $42,000 in drug-related cash, and over 4,300 grams of banned substances.
Read More: Governor Walker Signs $4.9 Billion 2018 Operating Budget Bills into Law
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