Dunn partners with Wal-Mart to save K-9 Unit

Company donates $3,000 to Black Diamond Police Dept.

Councilmember Reagan Dunn is joined by (l-r)  Black Diamond Mayor Howard Botts, Sabre and partner Officer Kris Chatterson, 7-year old Dylan Ellefson and Wal-Mart Market Manager Don Roseborough

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn was at the Black Diamond Community Center June 17 to celebrate the partnership between the city and Wal-Mart to fund the K-9 unit for the Black Diamond Police Department.

Dunn help arrange the partnership and was on hand as Wal-Mart presented the department with a check for $3,000 to ensure the operation of the program through the end of the year.

“As a former federal prosecutor, I have seen first-hand what drugs do to the community,” said Dunn. “I am pleased that Wal-Mart decided to fund this important program and has chosen to be such a good community partner.”

Last month, Officer Kris Chatterson contacted Councilmember Dunn to inquire about funding for “Sabre,” Black Diamond’s K-9 unit. Sabre’s primary responsibility on the force is to help officers in the search and seizure of illegal drugs. Black Diamond is in the middle of a budget crisis and did not have the funding to continue the program.

King County budget decisions are made in November so funding to continue the program wasn’t immediately available. Because of the time-sensitive nature of the request, Councilmember Dunn directed Officer Chatterson to Wal-Mart, which has a program for funding non-profits in the community

“We are extremely pleased to be able to help with this new program,” said Don Roseborough, Wal-Mart’s Marketing Manager. “Protecting children and families in Washington communities is extremely important to us.”

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn represents District 9 including the cities of Bellevue, Black Diamond, Covington, Enumclaw, Kent, Maple Valley, Newcastle, and Renton.