The first meeting of 2024 for Lehigh County Board of Commissioners was held Jan. 10, with newly elected Commissioners Sheila Alvarado, Jon Irons and April Riddick taking their seats.

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

Earlier in the day, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong announced the start of video availability during 911 calls. Commissioner Geoff Brace addressed this new initiative.

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

Brace said 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 regarding the important role of K-9s.

Commissioner Ron Beitler, one of the sponsors of the resolution, addressed 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,” Beitler said. “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 (is) to help open up conversations with the public and allow for outreach opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t exist,” Brace said about the K-9 officers.

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, it’s a dog that allows you to see the functions of law enforcement in a different way,” Brace said. “These K-9s are always a hit when elementary schools are involved in these outreach opportunities.”

In other matters, further extensions of temporary wage increase for certain employees within the 911 Communications Center, Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation and the Department of Corrections were approved by the board.