MANCHESTER – Storm, a solid black, six-year-old German Shepherd is one of two members of the township’s K-9 Unit, and while he’s often on night duty, he served a bit of overtime recently during a special gathering that showcased his talents.
The dog joined his partner/handler Patrolman Marc Micciulla and fellow K-9 officer Patrolman Steve Wendruff, and his partner a sable colored German shepherd named Lynk, Police Chief Lisa Parker, Captain Todd Malland, and Lt. James Sharkey for the occasion of a $10,250 donation to the department.
Around a year ago Lester Glenn Auto Group salesman Steve Regan sought a community project. Originally from London, he had served as a judge for the American Kennel Club, and previously worked to reunite retired U.S. Armed Forces K-9s with their handlers. The Toms River was inspired to raise funds for the Manchester Township K-9 Unit having heard that the department was seeking to add another dog to that unit.
The cost of another dog – including the purchase, training, food and various equipment – is approximately $20,000, according to Micciulla.
From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019 Regan put aside money from the commission of his sales, supplemented by donations from Lester Glenn staff and customers toward that fund. He raised $5,000 which was matched by Lester Glenn’s owner Adam Kraushaar and management.
Chuck Snider, representing PBA #105 of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, provided an additional $250 check during the January 15 presentation held at the Toms River Lester Glenn Chrysler, Jeep Dodge Ram, and Fiat store on Rt. 37 West.
“We had a K-9 unit back in the day, around 22 years ago. We brought it back in 2015,” Wendruff said.
Chief Parker added that the department noted an increase in responses involving narcotics around 2014 which sparked reforming of the K-9 Unit.
Storm was the department’s first four-legged addition to the force since the unit’s reactivation. He came from the Netherlands and will soon be turning seven years old. Lynk joined the department soon after and is from Hungry. Both dogs were trained at Shelly’s School for Dogs/Green Leaf Pet Resort, Millstone Township.
Micciulla said the dogs paid for themselves in the first year through the number of items confiscated. “We seized 40 cars, and money-wise the actual cash seized was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.” Law enforcement agencies can garner a designated amount from the value of confiscated vehicles and items from arrests through state police regulations.
Chief Parker noted that the department is actually seeking to acquire two new K-9-unit dogs. “That is our long-term goal but we are waiting until November to see what happens with the marijuana referendum question that will be on the ballot.”
The chief explained that depending on how that vote goes to legalizing marijuana, it would impact the training of new K-9 officers as well as how Storm and Lynk’s duties will be performed.
“We wouldn’t pursue this now as 50% of what our dogs’ work might not be the same. The unit has become a very important part of our department. They are not bred to be a family pet. We pay $6-$9,000 for the dogs and that does not include their training, our officers’ training, food, and lodging for them when our officers are on vacation,” Chief Parker said.
She added that Green Leaf Resort provides a reduced rate when the dogs are boarded and that Dr. Lisa Schorr of Whiting Veterinary Clinic “helps us out greatly.”
“We generally use them on side-to-side evenings but they sometimes are called in for some day shift work,” Chief Parker added. She noted that with the county, state and nation’s current opioid crisis the department has been working to bring drug use awareness to the school district.
“We raised $5,000 matching what Steve raised. We are involved in supporting many community causes,” Lester Glenn Digital Marketing Manager Matt Costanzo said.
“If we can give something back that is what it is all about,” Regan said. During the presentation Regan noted the fundraiser, dubbed, “Raising Bucks for Pups” generated a lot of conversation and that he was amazed at the amount total that was now presented to the Manchester Police Department.
Regan had pamphlets available for customers to learn about the collection and “he launched a Facebook fundraising page. Many of our employees chipped in as well. He is one of our top salesmen and he put together today’s presentation,” Costanzo added.
“The continued support our K-9 Unit receives from our community is amazing, and we appreciate the many businesses, civic groups, and individuals that contribute to its success,” Chief Parker said.
Prior to the check presentation Wendruff and Micciulla provided a demonstration to the audience of around 40 people assembled at the dealership showing what Storm could do, how the K-9 Unit vehicle works, what the dogs wear for protection and how the K-9 officers respond in specific situations.
“We spend more times with our dogs then we do with our own families,” Wendruff said. Lynk and Storm come home with their partners at the end of the day. Generally, the dogs are able to serve the department for about a decade and – as long as there are no medical limitations – are provided either lighter service duties or retired which means adjusting them to “civilian” life which also requires training.
