Photo Source: NJ Town Photographer Peggy Bohac
North Judson K9 Officer Rico Simpson and his K9 Partner Jimy have been very busy now that they’re out of training and patrolling the town. Town Marshal Kelly Fisher provided a brief synopsis of some of the work that the two have accomplished in their first week of deployment during Monday night’s town council meeting.
Since April 9th, K9 Jimy has already assisted with several traffic stops and indicated the presence of suspected narcotics, marijuana, heroin and drug paraphernalia.
Officer Simpson and Jimy also responded to a domestic battery situation on April 11th. Marshal Fisher shared that when they arrived on the scene, the suspect apparently began fleeing from the scene until Officer Simpson simply alerted the individual that he needed to stop or the K9 would be released. The suspect complied with the commands and was later taken into custody by Starke County Sheriff’s Deputies, following an investigation.
Aside from assisting with crime work, Officer Simpson and K9 Jimy have been providing demonstrations to the community.
They were present at the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School fun fair and did a demonstration for the 4H Club at the NJSP High School. Marshal Fisher shared that she is very happy with Jimy’s temperament in social situations.
She shared, “Rico had Jimy and the kids were able to come up and pet him and he was real calm and I feel real comfortable with him being around the kids.”
During the recent demonstrations, the North Judson Police Department had to borrow a bite suit from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department. Since there will be more public presentations in the future, Marshal Fisher requested permission from the council to purchase a bite suit and helmet for about $1,200. She said the money is available in the K9 fund. Members unanimously approved the purchase.
Additionally, Marshal Fisher expressed her gratitude to everyone who made the NJPD K9 program possible with their generous donations.
