AVON, Ind. (WTHR) - Even in the town of Avon, Indiana the war on crime is very serious, so law enforcement leaders hope adding three K-9 units they will get the upper hand on crime.
Avon Police Officer Eric Hollingsworth will play a major role in local crime fighting. Now, when you see Officer Hollingsworth, most likely you'll see his new partner, "Artemus." The German shepherd is the newest member of the Avon police force and new to Hollingsworth, too.
"It's my first time being a K-9 handler," said Hollingsworth. "I am excited about the challenge."
The Avon Police Department already has "Nero," which is the partner to K-9 Officer Tom Owens.
Artemis, the first of two new K-9s for Avon Police, couldn't come at a better time. Avon Police Chief Sean Stoops is determined to win their battle against drugs. Artemis comes with skills needed in that fight.
"He is narcotics certified and the only person that has to get certified is me with him. Anytime we make a traffic stop now, and he is with me on a day-to-day basis, he can run around every car. If he hits on a car I can search that car," Hollingsworth said.
"They are going to be able to find more drugs and more paraphernalia and things of that nature that may be associated with drugs," Stoops added.
Avon police officers have always gotten K-9 help when needed from surrounding agencies. But now with Artemis and a third K-9 on the way they'll be an even stronger force. They want nothing more than to keep Avon at the top of the list of being one of the countries safest places to live.
"We are going to be out there and we are going to be out there hitting the streets hard," Stoops said.
A third K-9 unit will be joining Nero and Artemis in Avon soon, a message the chief wants to get out to the community, especially would-be criminals.