The battle against the Fentanyl crisis in Clackamas County ratchets up a notch as the Sheriff's Office introduces K9 Gregor, the new furry enforcer in town. Partnering with Deputy Bryson Ricker, this two-year-old Wirehaired Pointer Black Lab mix, is the latest addition to the local law enforcement's efforts to sniff out illegal substances within the corrections facility. Trained and certified by the Oregon Police Canines Association (OPCA), Gregor has been prepared rigorously for the role he's set to play in keeping the community safe.
It's not a solo gig for Gregor, though, he teams up with the County Jail's first drug-detecting dog, K9 Abbie, and her handler, Deputy Eliseo Ramos. Since their partnership began back in 2018, they've been a staple in the facility — and have remarkably cut the amount of contraband in half since starting their rounds. The inclusion of a second K9 means better, broader coverage and a doubled effort to ensure the jail remains a drug-free zone.
This isn't just about patrolling corridors and sniffing out contraband from behind bars. K9 Gregor and K9 Abbie bring their acute senses to bear alongside the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF) as well, a team dedicated to taking apart drug trafficking networks and reducing drug-related crime in the area. This canine addition comes thanks to the local community's approval of the Public Safety Levy, which continuously funds endeavors like this.
But with reward comes risk. In 2018, Deputy Ramos and K9 Abbie experienced the darker side of drug detection, when Abbie was accidentally exposed to an overdose. Quick thinking and a lifesaving dose of canine Narcan by Ramos averted a tragedy. It's a stark reminder of the hazards faced in this line of duty — both K9 handlers and their human counterparts are equipped with Naran to counter such dangers, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office release.
The commitment of K9 Gregor and his squad to maintaining the safety and integrity of the community goes beyond just a job; they are on the front lines, ensuring that the grip of the ongoing Fentanyl dilemma doesn't tighten on Clackamas County. With fresh paws on the ground, the Sheriff's Office continues to demonstrate its proactive stance in this relentless fight against drug infiltration.
