Jan. 10 marked the first meeting of the new Lehigh County Board of Commissioners with newly elected commissioners Sheila Alvarado, Jon Irons and April Riddick taking their seats.

The light agenda focused on two important resources of help for first responders: the use of livestream video 911 calls and investing in the K-9 program.

Earlier during the day, County Executive Phillips Armstrong announced the start of video conversations during 911 calls.

Brace addressed this new initiative saying, “The administration announced today the unveiling of the 911 Center being able to initiate video calls when someone calls and the dispatcher sees a need, can turn the call from a voice conversation into a video conversation. We are going to be initiating this without costs to the taxpayer.”

Brace said he believed Lehigh is the first county in the state “to come online” this way.

The first resolution of 2024, accepting a donation of $12,413.64 from Lehigh Valley K-9s for the office of the district attorney’s K-9 project, led to a discussion between board members of the overall important role K-9s have.

Commissioner Ron Beitler, one of the sponsors of the resolution, told his colleagues, “I got to understand the importance of these K-9 officers over the years, way back in the day when Macungie Borough got one, and subsequently the retirement of Officer Sammy. They are officers. The dogs are officers of the law.”

Beitler emphasized the importance of supporting the district attorney’s K-9 program.

“One of the most interesting ways to interact with local law enforcement agencies,” Brace added about the K-9 officers.

“Helps to open up conversations with the public and allow for outreach opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t exist,” Brace continued.

Agreeing with Beitler they are officers, Brace elaborated on a K-9’s role.

“They are officers, but the officers are trained in such a way that outside of the duties they perform, whether it be for, you know, illicit drugs or human trafficking purposes, you are interacting with a dog who has been specially trained, yes, but it’s a dog that allows you to see the functions of law enforcement in a different way.”

“These K-9s are always a hit when elementary schools are involved in these outreach opportunities,” Brace concluded.

Under old business, further extension of temporary wage increase for certain employees within the 911 Communications Center, Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation and the Department of Corrections was approved.