Gun Lake Tribe & Gun Lake Casino Donate Police K-9 to County Sheriff

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

WAYLAND, MICHIGAN - Today, the Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatomi Indians and Gun Lake Casino officials announced their donation of $12,000 to the Allegan County Sheriff's Department to purchase Medo, a German Shepherd K-9 Academy International graduate. Both the Tribe and Casino equally contributed $6,000 for the new furry resource to the Allegan County Sheriff's Department.

l to r, Handler Ben Haas, Medo the K-9, Chairman D.K. Sprague, Sheriff Blaine Koops, Gun Lake Casino GM Rob McDermott

"Thanks to our outstanding staff of 900 team members and the popularity of our first-class entertainment facility, we are excited to help the community with the addition of Medo," said Chairman D.K. Sprague. "This donation maintains our commitment to public safety, and our solid partnership with the Allegan County Sheriff's Department."

The donation was announced at a public ceremony held at Gun Lake Casino. Chairman Sprague and Allegan County Sheriff Blaine Koops shared their thoughts about working together in support of local public safety. They were joined by the Gun Lake Tribe's elected Tribal Council, Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority staff, Gun Lake Casino management team, tribal public safety officers and the Allegan County Sheriff's Command Staff and K-9 Unit.

Following comments by the elected officials, Medo was on hand to demonstrate skills he acquired in the police K-9 academy which included search and rescue tactics, locating a lost child, and identifying illegal substances. Medo was chosen out of 11 puppies based on his solid physique and demeanor for police training at K-9 Academy International in Lowell, Michigan.

"Besides our staff, one of the greatest resources this agency has is the K-9 program," said Sheriff Koops. "I cannot thank the Gun Lake Tribe and the Gun Lake Casino enough for their generous gift. Your gift may one day save the life of a child, solve a serious crime, or track down and apprehend a dangerous offender."

Gun Lake Casino opened on February 10 to heightened anticipation and excitement. The regional popularity of the Casino created the need to hire 200 additional team members in late March.

In June the Tribe made its first state and local revenue sharing payments at over $2.5 million based on only two months of operation. Future revenue sharing payments will be based on 6 month operating periods.

The Tribe agreed to share portions of its electronic gaming revenues under a tribal-state compact. The K-9 donation, and others like it, is not part of revenue sharing payments under the compact. These are considered charitable donations made in addition to revenue sharing payments.

posted August 25, 2011 9:20 pm edt