Maxco Supply Inc. and SunWest Fruit Co. are collectively pledging $15,000 to help kick off the Parlier Police Department’s “Campaign K-9,” which seeks to raise $80,000 to cover the costs associated with purchasing the animal. The police dog will be tasked with protecting the rural community of Parlier in Fresno County, California, and assist with the nearby cities of Fowler, Reedley, Sanger and Selma when requested.
Funds for the campaign are being raised through Cops Building Bridges, an organization that seeks to improve community relations between local officers and the citizens they serve.
This is the second time the Flaming family and the Britz family (owners of Sun West) have donated for a PPD K-9.
“Maxco Supply Inc. and SunWest continue to support the local community by giving back for worthy causes that protect and improve the lives of rural residents,” said Mark Flaming, VP and COO of Maxco Supply Inc. “We hope other community leaders and business leaders will follow our lead and join in the police department’s efforts to keep these rural communities safe.”
The PPD has been without a K-9 unit since their former K-9 companion, Indy, died in an accident in January 2017. Indy was an award-winning police companion, beloved by department officers and the community alike.
“Indy was an asset who protected the citizens and officers in the City of Parlier,” said Sgt. Dan Barcellos. “He will always be missed, but it is time we move forward with a replacement.”
The PPD recently purchased a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois dual-performance police K-9 named “Koba” to fill Indy’s role. Although there is a higher upfront price to cover the training of a dual-purpose dog, the PPD believes the investment will be worthwhile in the long run.
“Dual-Purpose K-9’s are better for the community because not only do they apprehend violent criminals, but they help track missing children or senior citizens and can locate evidence or firearms which have been discarded by individuals and are a significant danger to the community,” Barcellos said.
The PPD selected Officer Landon Bolding to be Koba’s handler. Bolding received K-9 Koba in mid-December and the pair began a nine-week training course in mid-January. They are expected to be on the street by mid-April.
Individuals and organizations interested in donating to the PPD’s “K-9 Campaign” can either visit the Cops Building Bridges GoFundMe Page at gofundme.com/k9koba or contact the police department directly at 559-646-6600.
Maxco Supply Inc. was founded in 1972 and has been providing packaging solutions to the agricultural industry ever since. The company’s primary operations facility is based in Parlier, but they also have centers in the local communities of Lamont and Reedley, as well as Coachella, Oxnard, Santa Maria and Delano.
SunWest has grown to be one of California’s premier citrus and tree fruit operations. They offer easy-peel mandarins, navel and Cara Cara oranges, peaches, plums, nectarines and pluots. The company has been based out of Parlier for the past 70 years.
