- Last Updated on Saturday, 01 August 2015 06:00
By Charlotte Hopkins
The Elizabeth Borough Police Department has made great changes of improvement for the Elizabeth and West Elizabeth communities. Their first change was to appoint Officer Tim Butler as the new police chief. Their second was the swearing in of officer Garrett Kimmell.
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| Ashley Ormond is championing the fundraisers for Officer Garrett Kimmell and K9 Ryker. |
Kimmell joined the police department in September 2014 and in his short 10 months on the department he has brought the K9 Unit back to life. Kimmell was 13 years old when he started doing ride-alongs with North Huntington Police Officer Bill Sombo. In May, Sombo retired from the North Huntington Police Department and joined the Elizabeth Borough Police Department. Sombo now rides along with Kimmell!
When Kimmell suggested that the police start the K9 division back up they were not aware of the depth of his dedication. A month later he introduced K9 Ryker, but now there's the problem with obtaining the funds to support K9 Ryker. Jefferson Hills resident Ashley Ormond has teamed with Kimmell in the first fundraising endeavor. They are selling window decals and t-shirts (sizes child's small – 3XL adult). To purchase a shirt or decal, contact Officer
Kimmell at Gkimmell@elizabethpa.net or Ashley Ormond at Blashes0721@yahoo.com.
The costs for Ryker include $5,000 for the dog and $7,500 for training. They purchased a vehicle from Pleasant Hills for $2,000 and are now in need of $2,600 for a kennel to add to the vehicle to allow Ryker and Kimmell to transport a prisoner. With temperatures quickly rising, they also want to purchase a heat alarm system for $1,500 that will alert Kimmel if the car gets too hot for Ryker.
Kimmel stressed that all of the money needed will be raised in a series of fundraisers; it will not cost the community one nickel! Ryker does more than patrol the community, assist in drug arrests and perform searches for missing people. He is the link between rebuilding the wall of trust for West Elizabeth and Elizabeth Borough residents and the police department. He is also the newest member of Officer Kimmell's family, as they go everywhere together!
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