INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches received a check for $40,000, presented by Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar on Wednesday at the 20th annual BBQ to benefit the youth ranches.
The ranches’ mission is to “prevent delinquency and develop strong, lawful, resilient, and productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to our communities for years to come,” according to the Youth Ranches’ website.
In order to raise the money, the Sheriff’s Department went all out to host the event, giving multiple law enforcement demonstrations, opening a portion of the jail up for tour, and dishing out heaps of BBQ pulled pork and chicken.
Of all the popular events, booths, and attractions, the K-9 demonstrations are what filled the bleachers at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office campus.
Officers demonstrated how their K9 partners are trained to detect drugs, weapons, animals, and humans by odor.
Bo, one of the K9s trained on more than 20 different odors, successfully identified an explosive in a cardboard box. Once the dog and his partner were at a safe distance, Bo’s discovery was proved to the audience by a blasting explosion.
Other items various dogs managed to sniff out included a two-foot, live alligator in a cooler, and a single pill of MDMA, or Ecstasy, placed in a vacuum-sealed plastic bag, and hidden in the front bumper of a van.
Each dog demonstrated extreme loyalty and obedience to each of their partners. Several officers posed as “bad guys” the dogs were able to chase down and apprehend. As the fastest dogs reach running speeds of 28 miles per hour, their targets have little chance to escape.
The dogs are so effective at their jobs, Sgt. Pat White said in front of the spectators, “If they could drive a car, you wouldn’t be looking at me right now.”
White said each K9 lives with their law enforcement officer and becomes part of their family. They are trained to respond to voice commands, hand gestures, and to have their partner’s back no matter what.
In the case that a K9 left in a patrol car loses sight of the partner, all it takes is one click on the officer’s belt for the car door to open, and the dog will track the partner by scent, White said.
Though spectators were entertained throughout the day, the focus always revolved around the cause, raising money to send kids who “have a high probability they will get off track,” for a chance to redirect their lives down a positive path, according to Sheriff Loar.
Sheriff Loar presented the $40,000 donation check toward the beginning of the event, noting that the check amount was a minimum and he expected even more donations to roll in by the time the event came to a close.
Last year, Loar said, the event raised enough money to send seven kids to one of four youth ranches across the state. This year, he expects to sponsor between seven and 10.
