REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MINDY CASTO, Chief of Police
Office of the Chief
BY: BURKE FARRAH, Deputy Chief
Police Department/Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Naming the “Arakelian Family Kennels” (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council adopt the Resolution naming the “Arakelian Family Kennels”.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Fresno Police Department is recommending the soon to be completed new K9 kennel facility be named the Arakelian Family Kennels. The Fresno Police Department (FPD) K9 Unit was established in 1993 and is located on a 16.29 acre site at 4772 E. Robinson Avenue. The FPD K9 Unit is a specialized unit under the Support Division.
BACKGROUND
The police dogs are utilized every day, assisting patrol and other specialized department units with warrant arrests, building searches, suspect tracking, evidence location, vehicle stop, narcotic searches, dignitary protection, and accompanied by special units if necessary. The department currently has 12 canine handlers and canines. In 2024, the K9 Unit responded to more than 3,200 calls for service and assisted in over 800 arrests. Although response to K9 requests for patrol is the department’s top priority, members of the K9 Unit do respond to community “meet and greets”. The community strongly supports our K9 Unit that almost on a weekly basis they are being requested for various events at local schools, career fairs, service clubs, and the Big Fresno Fair.
The FPD K9 Unit has several K9s that are certified in fentanyl-detection the first in Fresno County. In addition, the K9s and their handlers have competed in regional K9 trials and has won awards in agility, obedience, explosive detection, and patrol competitions. The competitions have occurred throughout California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
The canines reside with their respective handlers; however, there are occasions where the canine will be kenneled. Currently, there isn’t a location the department can utilize for kenneling, resulting in other handlers overseeing that canine until the handler returns from either vacation or training. This can be very contentious resulting in possible anxiety or aggressiveness for one or both canines. The department makes every effort to minimize this type of situation.
As a result of these issues, private donations were sought with the funds being deposited in the Fresno Police Officers Foundation (FPOF) for future disbursements to the K9 Unit. Based on the need for a safety K9 kennel, a substantial private donation from Fresno/Clovis native Eddie Kay Arakelian was made. This donation is designated to support the development of the pre- and actual construction of the 1,300 square foot kennel. Eddie Arakelian is a lifelong resident of Fresno/Clovis, a respected businessman, and a strong supporter of law enforcement. Because of his commitment to serving the community and supporting law enforcement, he donated funds to construct an energy-efficient and sustainable kennel for the department’s K9s.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purposes of CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because the renaming of a City kennel does not include a bid or award of construction or service.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this project will have no impact on the City of Fresno’s General Fund. The funds were donated by a private donor to fund the construction of a K9 kennel.
Attachment:
Resolution