A small police department in Harrison County, Iowa, has a furry new tool to help them fight crime - an 80 pound German Shepherd.
They need the community's help to keep it.
It's relatively rare for a town of 1,500 to get a K-9 unit, said Logan Officer Chris Jochims.
The four-legged crime fighter is going to have a tremendous impact on the county and surrounding communities once they get the right funding, Jochims said.
Piko, the crime fighting German Shepherd, will comprise a fourth of Logan’s police department if enough donations come in to keep the developing k-9 unit.
"It can save lives,” Jochims said.
Jochims not only has a new partner in crime, but a new companion as the two are housemates.
"(We’re) very close,” he said. Him and I, we're two peas in a pod."
As the number of drug overdoses in Iowa rises statewide, Piko is going to be a powerful asset to their now four-officer department.
"Drugs are everywhere,” Jochims said. “No matter what anybody says or anybody thinks. They're in Logan. They're in small towns. They're going to be around. With him on duty, him out there, that gives us an opportunity to get them off the streets.”
While Logan has regular appearances of a small town, you can leave your door open most of the time, Jochims says Pico is going to be a tremendous asset keeping the community safe.
"It’s really important,” he said. “Not only in this town, but in the entire county because this would be the only dog in the county, not only can we use it but we're able to, but other towns will be able to use the K-9."
While Logan residents have mixed reactions about whether or not keeping a K-9 unit is worth $5,000 in donations, a local restaurant owner says Piko is worth the community's investment.
"If you can spend $5,000 and keep all the drugs off the street, you can't put a price on that,” said Bill Greenwood, owner of 4th Avenue Grill. “If the county can use it, and the police department can use it, I do think it's worth it.”
Logan police need to raise $5,000 within 60 days or they could lose Piko.
Donations can be made to the Logan City Police Department, 712-644-2424 or 712-644-2425.
