ADAMS, Mass. — Adam's Hometown Market will fund a new K-9 unit in the Adams Police Department for five years.

 

At Wednesday night's Selectmen's meeting, the Police Department announced that grocery will fund a new K-9 unit named Adam. 

 

"Adam's Hometown Market has taken on a huge help especially in these times," Police Chief Scott Kelley said. "What a wonderful thing this is and we are so happy to be part of this "

 

Kumar was brought on as the department's K-9 unit in 2014. The German shepherd came to Adams at 2 years old. He was originally from the Netherlands so many of his commands are in Dutch.

 

But at the age of 8, Kumar has to start thinking about retirement.

 

Kelley said the program donates a dog and for five years, the Adams Hometown Market Foundation will support training and care on the dog. This includes veterinary bills, food and equipment.

 

"They do five years. This is more than putting a dollar amount on it because these things can vary," Kelley said. "For any department it is a great expense that they have taken on and a huge help."

 

Kelley said Adam's Hometown Market has done this for 18 police departments through Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

 

"Adam's Hometown Market is about community. We are a community, and you will find us in small communities," Robert Pytko, manager of the local market said. "We want to make sure people know that we are part of the community and that we are here for them."

 

Officer Curtis Crane, Kumar's handler, noted that over the years supporting Kumar came down to fundraising on his own part. He said it will be nice to have some consistent support.

 

The town actually had a carved Kumar statue in Town Hall with a collection bucket to help support the dog and program.

 

He did say other K-9 officers around the county are jealous.

 

"We are very grateful," Crane said. "I mentioned it around the country and people were pretty jealous." 

 

Kumar isn't going anywhere quite yet, but the department felt that once it does hire a new K-9 unit, Adam would be the most fitting name.

 

Kelley said Adam will follow in Kumar's footsteps.

 

"Kumar has been a huge community asset, more than just a police K-9," he said. "There is no question that we will continue this ... I am looking forward to the future. I know what Officer Crane has done over the past 8 years and I can't wait to see it move forward.

 

The Selectmen were happy Kumar was getting ready to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. They also thanked Adam's Hometown Market for the partnership. 

 

"I think the keyword is hometown," Selectman Joeseph Nowak said. "That is something we here in Adams should be proud of ."

 

In other business, Detective Travis Cunningham said the department will utilize the Ring Neighbors Application to create a "virtual neighborhood watch" program throughout town.

 

"It is just another good social media tool and outlet for the community to contact us and for us to reach out to the community," Cunningham said. 

 

Cunningham said people can download the free app and do not need to have an actual Ring device.

 

He said the app allows the police to reach out to app users in specific areas of town with crime and safety alerts. 

 

He said the police can also request specific information from the public which they can contribute anonymously.  

 

"A lot of people may have trepidations that it is something that we can pull data from people but we can't," he said. "We can only request data from people."

 

He said the data the police are allowed to see is anonymous. 

 

Users can report incidents through the app that the police will see. Cunningham said posts can be anything form suspicious activity to a bear walking through a neighborhood.