NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Neighbors in North Tonawanda came together to try to make our community safer with a valuable tool.
"The value in a K9 program is unbelievable," said Jeff Kam, K9 Handler for North Tonawanda Police. "Everyone thinks of the dog as being an intimidating tool, but believe it or not it's actually our biggest de-escalation tool."
The Tonawandas Erie Canal Gateway Lions Club hosted a fundraiser on Saturday for the unit. Kam said not all departments have access to K9 units, so the fundraiser would help bring training for North Tonawanda and other local police departments.
"We want them to have properly equipped units and well-trained animals for the purposes they need them for, which supports the community," Jeremy Schnurr, Vice District Governor, Western New York Lions.
