Last of four parts

There was a new dog in town for the Salisbury Township K-9 Patrol in 2016.

And he took off like a Rocket. In fact, his name is Rocket.

In addition, in the annual report presented to the township board of commissioners and the media by Salisbury Township Chief of Police Allen W. Stiles, the township’s fire inspection program increased its revenue in 2016.

Also, the number of hunting permits issued for archery and junior hunting in the township was on target in 2016, and was about the same number as in 2015, according to the township police department 2016 report.

And fire inspections fees totaled $37,485 in 2016, up from $34,435 in 2015, the police report states.

The Animal Control Officer’s report for 2016 was not completed and included in the annual township police report because of the death of Animal Control Officer Charles Durner Jr.

In September 2016, Rocket became the new township K-9 patrol dog, replacing Fonzie.

Senior Patrol Officer Jason Laky is the partner of Rocket, who completed training and certification in 2016.

The first Salisbury police department K-9 unit went into service in May 2003. The first K-9 patrol dog was Zeus. He was replaced by Fonzie in Fall 2010. Fonzie retired in August 2016 and resides with Laky and his family.

The township K-9 Unit, according to the 2016 annual report, is an important part of the township police department. The K-9 Unit is credited with taking more than $40,000 in illegal drugs off the street, states the report.

The K-9 Unit has improved the safety of township police officers and reduced time spent in building and other searches, the report states.

Also, the deployment of the K-9 Unit has reduced disorderly behavior and violence, according to the report.

In addition, Laky and Rocket have become police department good-will ambassadors in the township.

The township K-9 Unit is funded by the Lehigh County District Attorney office, Salisbury Township and township citizens.

In 2016, one new part-time fire inspector position was filled, bringing the roster to five inspectors. The inspectors received additional tools and equipment and participated in new building plan reviews and Code Master reviews for possible fire safety problems.

There were 356 fire inspections in 2016, up from 296 in 2015.

There were 143 fire responses in 2016, up from 116 in 2015.

Fire inspectors drove or staffed Eastern Salisbury Fire Company units 25 times and Western Salisbury Fire Company units one time.

In 2016, there were 140 archery permits issued, down from 155 issued in 2015.

Archery permits were issued to 32 township residents in 2016, up from 29 residents in 2015. Archery permits were issued to 108 nonresidents in 2016, down from 126 nonresidents in 2015.

Also, in 2016, there were three junior hunting permits issued, the same number as in 2015. Two junior hunting permits were issued to residents in 2016, up from none issued to residents in 2015. One junior hunting permit was issued to a nonresident in 2016, down from three issued to nonresidents in 2015.