By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER – The East Spencer Police Department has hit the ground running to raise money for a K-9 program by using the online donation site, Go Fund Me.

Police Officer Barry Seagraves, who will train and become the K-9 handler, created the page. Through Go Fund Me and in-kind donations, the department has raised close to $3,000.

Seagraves estimates the department needs $20,000 to $24,000 to start the program. That would cover body armor for the dog, alarms, cooling systems in a patrol vehicle, and training for both the dog and Seagraves.

“Community support will be the biggest thing to getting this thing going. No amount is too small,” he said.

Seagraves, who has been with the East Spencer Police Department since October 2015, expressed interest in creating the program. The town board has approved the process to start the program.

This would be the town’s first official K-9 program.

“The addition of a K9 Unit to our department will broaden our capabilities of service to make the City of East Spencer a safer community,” Seagraves said on the site.

The dog would also serve as an ambassador to “strengthen public relations and the opinions of the local law enforcement community,” he said.

The department has been working to determine if there are grants that may help fund the program.

The officer has also sent letters to area businesses and individuals and hopes with the online donation page the department will get a further reach.

He said the East Spencer Police Department has already spoken with area agencies about training alongside their departments and what steps East Spencer should take to start the program.

For more information about the program and Go Fund Me, visit https://www.gofundme.com/EastSpencerK9 or email eastspencerk9fund@outlook.com