Panasonic has donated $13,000 to kick start fund-raising for a new K-9 program for the Peachtree City Police Department.

An estimated $40,000 is needed to start the program with two dogs, equipment and training, police said.

The K-9 unit would be able to work on drug detection, including the ability to search school lockers and parking lots, vehicles and homes for well-hidden drugs or paraphernalia, police said. They could also be able to conduct package searches, which would be handy at a local parcel distribution center.

The K-9s also will be able to track fleeing suspects and lost or missing children in addition to serving as a crime deterrent by assisting officers during physical confrontations, police said.

The dogs will also be used for demonstrations at community events and at Drug Abuse Resistance and Education classes and similar events, police said.

The fund-raising efforts are being undertaken by FACTOR, the Fayette Alliance Coordinating Teamwork, Outreach and Resources.

Donations are tax-deductible and checks can be dropped off at the Peachtree City Police Department on Commerce Drive North. Checks should be made payable to the City of Peachtree City and a note in the memo line denoting its for the K-9 program.

For more information, email Becky Smith at [email protected] or Sgt. Matt Myers at [email protected].