By Mary Owen
5K or 9K run for people
and their dogs Saturday,
April 5, 11 a.m.
Fee: $20, benefits Stayton PD K9 unit
Where to Start Fitness: 503-767-4094
Dogs and their owners will be taking to neighborhood streets for the K9 Run, a partnership between the Stayton Police Department and Where to Start Fitness.
“This fundraiser is designed to have members of the community come run or walk with their well-behaved dog in a 5K or 9K course,” said Sgt. Charlie Button of the Stayton Police Department. “In addition to the K9 Run, the department is planning SummerFest events where Paul and Brodie will be on display detecting narcotics. The popular ‘Dunk-a-Cop’ will be back to raise additional funds for the K9 program.”
Stayton PD’s K9 program is operated strictly from donations and money raised during fundraisers, Sgt. Button said.
“Due to limited budgets, this was the only way to bring a K9 program to our community,” he said. “Many community members responded by either donating time or money to our program, and the K9 Run is an example of those efforts.”
Daniel Hawkins and his wife, Tirzah, developed a love for running during their weight-loss journey, one that also led to their opening of Where to Start Fitness.
“We enjoy the fact that everyone at the running event is there for the joy of running or walking, so it was a clear choice for something we could do to support the community through raising money for the K9 unit and also having a fun event.”
Their first “Fool Your Fat Run” was on April 1 two years ago, and their first “K9 Run” was the following October, Hawkins said.
This year’s K9 Run is slated to start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5. Cost is $20, and includes a swag bag, after-race snacks and a health fair for people and dogs. Race bags can be picked up Friday before the event or Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m.
“We strongly believe in what the K9 unit is doing,” Hawkins said. “We have two dogs that we love to run with, and there are not many dog-friendly runs. We thought it would be a great idea to have a dog-friendly event that raised money for a dog!”
Funds raised at last year’s K9 Run went toward getting Brodie, the department’s newest K9 that came on board last May.
Over the last year, Officer Paul Eves and K9 partner Brodie have worked diligently through training, presentations and drug detection, according to Button.
“Since the arrival of Brodie last May, the two have completed over 170 hours of training together, to include important certification from the Oregon Police Canine Association,” he said. “Officer Eves and Brodie have participated in three residential search warrants and one search warrant related to a motor vehicle. Additionally, Brodie has been deployed during multiple traffic stops where he detected controlled substances.”
The partners have participated in school events as well as joining with area K9 teams to check schools for drugs, Button said.
“Paul and Brodie are instrumental in the reduction of drugs in our schools,” he said. “Just having the K9 make random appearances at the schools creates a deterrent for kids thinking of bringing drugs on to school property.”
Also, Button said having a drug-detection K9 saves time during a search.
“What can take a police officer an extended period of time to search, a dog can locate within minutes,” he said.
Button said the Stayton PD wants to purchase a suburban utility vehicle for the K9 program, having purchased a used Ford Crown Victoria from the city of Portland to get the program started.
“The problem with a patrol car vs. an SUV is it restricts Officer Eves from transporting persons in custody,” he said. “With an SUV, we would be able to split the back section of the vehicle in half. This would give Brodie plenty of space and have the ability to transport custodies.”
To register for the K9Run, visit wheretostartfitness.com. For more information, call 503-767-4094.
Donations to the K9 program are always welcome and can be made to the Stayton Police Department, 386 N. Third Ave. or for information, call 503-769-3421.
