A new K9 unit and specialized vehicle for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is set to be added this year in Santa Clarita, officials said. 

The proposal is expected to be discussed at the Santa Clarita City Council regular meeting on Tuesday, according to the agenda. 

The amendment to the FY 2019-20 Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement would convert a “non-relief 40-hour deputy sheriff to a K9 40-hour deputy sheriff,” according to the agenda published by the City. 

With the change, a new specialized K9 vehicle would also be purchased. 

The idea of converting a unit is set to “better expedite traffic stops, search warrants and criminal activity,” with the hope that the unit is expected to aid in better coverage of the Santa Clarita Valley. 

Adding this unit would also help to increase the efficiency and the amount of resources available to law enforcement regarding the narcotic enforcement and drug cessation in the City of Santa Clarita, according to the agenda. 

The addition of the K9 unit could ultimately “decrease the number of drug overdoses and combat the overall drug use in the City, while also ensuring the safety of the deputies during these operations.”

In 2019, there were 10 overdose deaths. The growing epidemic of juvenile vaping, marijuana and fentanyl in the Santa Clarita Valley has become more prominent. In order to stop the deaths involved with this epidemic, allowing law enforcement officials access to this new unit would be beneficial to both the community and the officers, according to the agenda. 

The unit would be solely for use at the local Santa Clarita station, which would benefit the local community in the long run.

The continued partnership between the City and the LASD aims to be instrumental in allowing the City to “provide the highest quality public service to the community.” 

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