The Hometown Foundation is offering grants to law enforcement agencies and their K-9 Units.  The organization is offering grants of $15,000 worth of equipment to K-9 Units who have exemplified commitment to their communities by protecting and serving. The funding will be awarded through public voting through today. 

Among those up for a grant is Putnam County Sheriff's Office K-9 Flash, a 4-year old certified tracking canine and a scent discriminating bloodhound.  If awarded a grant, the Putnam County Sheriff's Department plans to purchase thermal imaging cameras for the K-9 Unit.

(Photo: Hometown Foundation)

K-9 Flash has been involved in numerous successful finds over the years.  He's investigated several cases where a member of the community is intent on harming themselves and refuse to engage in dialogue with responding officers. On these occasions, K-9 Flash has helped these individuals in crisis.  K-9 Flash and his handler regularly visit local schools to promote positive interactions between the children and the police.  They are also ambassadors for the Sheriff's Department Project Lifesaver Program, which provides body-worn radio transmitters to vulnerable populations within the community who are prone to wandering behaviors. 

K-9 Flash averages about 4-5 callouts a month to neighboring jurisdictions and are more frequently utilized within Putnam County to search for criminal suspects, missing or endangered persons, and lost hikers.