Nitro, Officer John Waldo's K-9 partner, is pictured. (Journal photo by Jackie Jahfetson)

MARQUETTE — Charter Spectrum presented the Marquette City Police Department’s K-9 Unit with a $10,000 check on Monday during a special presentation part of the Marquette City Commission meeting held at Marquette City Hall.

Marquette City Chief of Police Blake Rieboldt accepted the check from Charter Spectrum and acknowledged the funding as a way to continue the work of the MCP K-9 program. Officer Todd Collins and his K-9 Skud and Officer John Waldo and his K-9 Nitro were present to showcase the efforts of the program.

Jane Rhodes, Charter Spectrum Group vice president and Head of Corporate Security from Stanford, met with Rieboldt a few months ago where he expressed the need for building the K-9 program, as one of the dogs will be retiring soon.

“What’s vital is that these K-9 officers are both important for public safety and the safety of officers as well. So we are honored to be able to do that,” Rhodes said. “Charter has a commitment to law enforcement in many different ways. We rely on them to do our job and we understand the concerns and threats that you face.”

Upper Peninsula district representative Paul Flint of U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman’s office expressed gratitude toward the donation.

“This is an awesome thing from Spectrum to be donating this for a greater cause, to the city and all of our well-being and the safety of our citizens,” Flint said.

Charter Spectrum provides service to 41 states with 28 million customers, including 1,900 Michigan employees. It has also provided the U.P. with service for over 30 years. And state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, was present at Monday’s meeting and spoke on the importance of this donation.

“I think we all recognize the continue danger that many of our communities face with the growing sophistication that comes with crime right now, drugs and other things. The important role that K-9 units play, thank you very much for what you all do to keep us safe,” McBroom said. “And it’s wonderful that Charter Spectrum recognizes the work K-9 units do.”

Jackie Jahfetson can be reached at jahfetj@gmail.com.