Requesting approval to accept the in-kind donation of two K-9 animals to the Police Department for the purpose of providing support to victims and serving as an investigative resource.

To the Honorable City Council: The Mayor respectfully requests that this Council accept the in-kind donation of a electronic detection/victim support K-9 animal (including training and necessary equipment) from the United States Secret Service, and a Comfort Dog K-9 animal from the non-profit organization Hero Pups to the Somerville Police Department, under the provisions of MGL Chapter 44, Section 53A. This in-kind donation does not require the commitment of new matching funds; however, the care of the animals would fall on the Somerville Police Department. The Somerville Police Department can absorb the cost for the care of the animals with our current ordinary maintenance budget, with no request for additional funding. The purpose of this in-kind donation is to provide support to victims in times of trauma and crisis and serve as an investigative resource. Appropriate staff will be available to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your consideration of this item. Respectfully submitted, Katjana Ballantyne, Mayor