Lordstown Village Police Safety committee met to discuss purchasing a dual purpose K-9 on Monday evening.

"We can release our K-9 for tracking criminals and suspects that flee on foot," explained Brett Blank, Patrolman with Lordstown Village Police Department. "Along with officer safety, we can release them to bite someone in a serious situation."

The K-9 would also be able to drug sniff cars and track evidence. The police department says a K-9 would help limit drugs in the heavily traveled village.

"All those main routes are traveled daily and there's 1 in 3 cars that are bringing drugs through or doing illegal criminal activity," Blank said. 

"It [K-9s] gives a lot of our officers an extra sense of safety," explained Detective Steve Lyden, K-9 handler for Newton Falls.

Lyden told 21 News situations like searching cars is much easier when involving a K-9 and suspects comply with law enforcement better with the dogs compared to tasers.

"Any case where I've been warranted to at least take him out of the car, most people say, 'Hey, I'm done," Lyden said. "Whatever they were doing, it's pretty much over at that point."

The start-up cost for the K-9 would be $73,000 to fund the K-9 vehicle and training. Officer Blank said they're looking into different fundraising options.

"If residents want to donate, fantastic," Blank said. "We want to reach out to some of the bigger businesses that we support and the community has supported throughout the years."

The K-9 would be purchased through Shallow Creek in Sharpsville.

The decision now goes to the village council to decide on the K-9.