FOUNTAIN VALLEY : The Community Was Officer’s Best Friend

The Police Department has a new member on the force, thanks to community donations.

He’s 3 years old and friendly, yet on command he will take a bite out of crime.

His name is Jake, and the black and tan German shepherd recently arrived on the job to chase fleeing criminals, check burglarized buildings for suspects and keep a close eye on his partner, Officer Tiffany Harper.

Harper, who’s been on the force 3 1/2 years, said she feels a lot safer with her new canine partner. “It’s nice because felony suspects are not able to outrun me anymore,” Harper, 27, said.

Jake’s $5,500 cost was paid entirely through community donations.

Last fall, the city’s Drug and Alcohol Awareness Committee raised $2,700 to help pay for the dog. And the fund-raising didn’t stop there. The Fountain Valley-Huntington Beach Elks Club learned of the city’s need for a new dog and donated $2,800.

Local Brownie Troop 810 also pitched in, donating $30 to buy Jake some dog food. The Fountain Valley Women’s Club contributed $100.

“It shows the support the community has given to the Police Department,” said Chief Elvin Miali. “Without this help, it would have been a severe strain. . . . It’s truly the community’s dog.”

Jake is one of two police dogs on the force, and he is expected to stay on the job for about seven years. He replaced Anno, a Belgian Malinois, who retired in January.

Harper said Jake has undergone extensive training, at a cost of $2,500, which was paid for by the city. In addition, fund-raisers are planned to cover the $2,500 cost of narcotics detection training.

Police dogs are expensive, Harper said, “but they’re worth every penny.”