COMMUNITY
Public Service – Organizations, People and Programs
In and Around ROSS
ROSS TOWNSHIP POLICE WELCOMES THIRD
K-9 TO DEPARTMENT
The Ross Township Police recently added a third new K-9
to their department. In July, Ross Township Officer Justin
Allenbaugh was selected to be the department’s third K-9
handler. He joins Officer Pete Chuberko and his partner
K-9 Cezar, along with Officer Don Sypolt and his partner
K-9 Neeko. Following this appointment, members of the
K-9 Division and supervisors of the department worked in
selecting Officer Allenbaugh’s new partner, K-9 Jimy. Jimy
was selected from testing of a large pool of highly qualified
dogs. Jimy is a German Shephard and is 1½ years old. He
came to Ross Police via Slovenia. Following his selection, Jimy
immediately began living with Ptl. Allenbaugh and started the
bonding process.
A few weeks later, in late August, Officer Allenbaugh, Jimy and
Ross Sergeant Matthew Grubb began their 10 week training
process to train both Jimy and Officer Allenbaugh. Sgt. Grubb
is a former department K-9 handler and is the department’s
K-9 Supervisor and Trainer. As with the department’s other
two current K-9s, all three have been trained by Sgt. Grubb.
The training consisted of 10 weeks of full-time work. Both
the handler and the K-9 learned to track both persons
and property, along with building searches, and narcotics
detection. The K-9s are able to track both missing persons and
suspects from criminal activity. Following the training, Officer
Allenbaugh and Jimy will work to become nationally certified
in both Patrol and Narcotics.
The Ross Township Police Department and its citizens will all
benefit from the services of three K-9s. These are the third
generations of K-9s that have been in use by the department
since the mid 1990’s.
In the 1990’s the department’s first two K-9s were Sari and
Enno. Following them was the second generation K-9s,
Airus, with handler Sgt. Grubb and Uvo, which was Officer
Chuberko’s first K-9 with the department. Along with our
current K-9s, the following has been accomplished within the
last 10+ years of the program:
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The K-9s have been directly involved in the apprehension
of over 30 suspects (Fleeing, Felonious, hiding, etc.)
Utilized for 66 tracks of suspects/missing persons/children
Over 170 Drug-related searches of vehicles
Participated in over 21 School District requested mass
locker/vehicle searches
Over 50 drug related residential searches
Over 157 pounds of narcotics seized
Over $200,000 in cash seized
Over 235 Drug Arrests
More than 40 Community-related demonstrations
Assisted with over 250 Building Alarm/Building Searches
with open or unsecured doors
These are just some of the
functions that are provided by
these valuable officers to the
department. With three K-9s now
on the force, the township will
have coverage on all three of the
main shifts of the police force.
Funding for the department’s K-9
Program, for the sole purchases
of the dogs, has not come from
tax-payer monies, but rather from
donations from community groups
and individuals. In addition to
this, the department is fortunate
to have a great supporter in Mt.
Nebo Agway on McAleer Road
in Sewickley. They have been
providing complimentary food
for the dogs for over a year. The
department is also fortunate to
have reduced veterinary care costs
through North Boros Veterinary
62 Ross Township