K9 Officer Cash Retires from Canton Police Force
K9 Officer Cash Retires from Canton Police Force
Table of Contents
Who Was Cash, the K9 Drug Enforcement Officer?
The legendary Cash is a now-retired drug-sniffing dog that worked on the Canton Police Force for seven years. He earned numerous accolades and accomplishments during his canine career. Cash, originally named Ty, was born in Canada. The funds to purchase Cash came from the mother of Alex J. Rohr. Alex passed away in an accident. In memory of him and in thanks to his mother, Cash’s collar bore Alex’s initials. Cash’s human partner, Officer Gillillan, a 19-year police veteran, will care for Cash during the K-9’s retirement. As the only dog on Canton, Ohio’s Safe Streets Task Force, his collar will be hard to fill. 1
Cash's Career Highlights
Drug Seizures
Cash’s career highlights are astounding. The drug-sniffing dog could locate 408 lbs of cannabis, 49 lbs of synthetic cannabis, 1,140 THC-infused vape pens, 5 kilos of cocaine, 28lbs of meth, 100 grams of heroin, 12 firearms, and 763k in money. Cash’s drug seizures prevented countless overdoses. The drug seizures also put a hefty dent into the local drug trade, slowing down the drug market. Not a bad haul for any officer, canine or otherwise.
Cash’s partner, Officer Gillillan, commends Cash for his stalwart demeanor and efficiency. Officer Gillillan also says that these days Cash spends most of his time relaxing and chasing down groundhogs. The FBI released a statement congratulating Cash on his service, his history of helping locate illegal drugs, and his role in international cases to prosecute drug cartels.
Donte Stewart, president of Arrow Passage Recovery, knows the effects of drug use in a small-town all too well. He says they are an integral part of locating and keeping drugs off the street.
“We wouldn’t be able to uncover meth, cocaine, and marijuana without K9 officers. So, I tip my hat to them and can’t commend them enough.”
It takes approx $12,000 to train, house, and feed a police dog. Cash’s training costs were dollars well spent.
How are Dogs Used in Drug Enforcement?
K-9’s like Cash are often brought during searches to find drugs that may be hidden in unsuspecting places. Additionally, without probable cause, an officer isn’t allowed to search a vehicle for illegal substances thoroughly. Bringing in a police dog to sniff around an area is a way to establish a high chance of drugs being hidden. From there, an officer can request a search warrant and gain a bigger picture of what a suspect may be hiding or capable of. K-9’s also assist officers in times of danger by attacking or otherwise distracting a suspect long enough for an officer to take charge of the situation or for backup to arrive.
Cash’s Service
Cash, for example, once helped locate drugs after a suspicious traffic stop. Just a few months before his retirement, an officer pulled a vehicle over for traffic violations. The inhabitants of the car told the officer they were in town to take pictures. Suspecting more, the officer called Cash over. Officers later found 2 kilos of cocaine, resulting in the arrest of 4 people. Also in the car was a 14-year-old child of one of the suspects. The minor was turned over to child protection services.
In a single day, Cash was able to remove 2 kilos of cocaine from the drug market and save a kid from a dangerous environment. Children surrounded by illegal drugs and substance abuse are more likely to experience trauma and develop an addiction themselves. This cycle contributes to the addiction of future generations. Arrow Passage Recovery’s president, Donte Stewart, agrees, “K9 officers help get more drugs off the street to combat the vicious cycle of addiction.”
What is the Canton FBI Safe Streets Task Force?
How the Safe Streets Task Force Was Formed
The Canton FBI Safe Streets Task Force, or Canton SSTF, is a widespread FBI program to prosecute drug dealers. The principal behind the Safe Streets Task Force is to work with multiple law enforcement branches, including local and federal, to build a case against gangs and violent crimes. It accomplishes this by noting comparatively lesser charges like traffic violations, firearms, assault, and more. The FBI first established the Safe Streets Task Force in 1992.2
Where Does the Safe Streets Task Force Operate?
The Safe Streets Task Force has offices all over the country. Larger states like Texas, Pennsylvania, or California have multiple offices spread out over the state. There are 160 offices nationwide, all with the same goal, operating procedures, and resources.
Accomplishments
In SSTF’s 29 year history, agents have been responsible for hundreds if not thousands of drug busts and successful court cases. However, because the SSTF is made from numerous agencies, any awards are given to the lead investigator or the agency itself. That being said, here are some of the most notable busts attributed to the SSTF.
- Between 1992-2000, Safe Streets Task Force was responsible for taking over 197,000 violent criminals off the streets
- The Safe Street Task Force arrests led to over 72,000 convictions
- SSTF in Ceder Rapids solved 9 East Iowa bank robberies
- The Safe Streets Task Force in Cedar Rapids arrests led to 42 federal and state trials
Addiction Treatment Available
Addiction is a disease and is treatable. At Arrow Passage Recovery, specialized treatment comes from trained professionals who understand addiction treatment’s nuances. There are multiple options for treatment.
Inpatient
Inpatient treatments offer 24/7 support for withdrawal symptoms and monitoring for health or psychological changes from addiction. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for severe substance use disorders.
Outpatient
Outpatient treatment offers personalized care with the freedom to continue with some regular daily tasks. Outpatient treatment is right for people who have work, a home life, and other responsibilities. But this treatment means adhering to a long-term plan to address addiction. Treatment includes family counseling, check-ups, therapy, and other individualized options to address the use disorder. Typically, outpatient treatment is used for individuals who have already undergone inpatient.
Specialized Care
Specialized care includes Partial Hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient care, and aftercare. Specialized care plans are based almost entirely on individual needs. As Donte Stewart explains, “We try to give clients the best possible chance to get back on track.”
Seeking help is the first step to addressing addiction. Donte Stewart and Arrow Passage Recovery is here to help.
