Door County Crime Prevention Foundation

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Therapy Dog

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, the Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation is proud to support the county’s first certified therapy dog for first-responders and the community.

In the high-stress, high-stakes world of law enforcement and emergency response, the value of a therapy dog cannot be overstated. These remarkable canine companions offer emotional support, stress relief, and community engagement that positively impact both first-responders and the people they serve.

What Sets Therapy Dogs Apart
Unlike K-9 units trained for tasks like search and rescue or drug detection, therapy dogs are specifically trained to provide comfort and companionship in moments of stress or crisis. Their role within law enforcement is focused on well-being, mental health, and building positive connections with the public.

Meet Finn
Finn, a Labradoodle donated by Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles in June 2024, is Door County’s certified therapy dog. Handled by Coordinated Response Specialist Kyanna Francour and Investigator Ellie Williams, Finn supports the emotional well-being of staff and clients at the Justice Center and is a beloved presence at public events including the Door County Fair and Chop ‘n Shop with a Cop.

Whether he’s greeting a child at a community event or comforting a crime victim at the courthouse, Finn’s calming presence makes a meaningful difference.

The Many Roles of a Therapy Dog

Crisis Response and Emotional Support
Finn is trained to respond in times of crisis, providing comfort to survivors, witnesses, and first-responders. After traumatic events, his gentle demeanor and calming presence offer emotional relief when it’s needed most. He helps individuals process grief, stress, and anxiety with quiet compassion.

Officers also benefit from Finn’s support as they cope with the emotional toll of their work. His presence helps normalize conversations about mental health and reinforces a culture of care and connection within law enforcement.

Victim and Witness Support
Finn assists during interviews and court proceedings by offering a steady, reassuring presence. For victims and witnesses, especially children, having Finn nearby can ease anxiety, provide strength, and foster a sense of safety during difficult or traumatic situations.

Officer Well-Being and Mental Health
Finn plays an important role in the Sheriff’s Office’s growing focus on officer well-being. As part of mental health support programs, Finn helps reduce stress, boost morale, and combat the stigma around seeking help. Officers describe him as a trusted companion whose nonjudgmental presence helps them decompress after challenging calls.

More Than a Dog, a Bridge to the Community
Therapy dogs like Finn are not just companions; they are symbols of compassion and hope. They help bridge the gap between officers and the community, fostering trust, empathy, and connection. Whether in a courthouse hallway or a classroom, Finn reminds us of the power of kindness and the comfort a wagging tail can bring.

How You Can Help
While Finn is already making an incredible impact, your continued support helps sustain and expand this vital program. Donations to the Crime Prevention Foundation support therapy dog care and training, the K-9 program, and other innovative crime prevention efforts throughout Door County.

Together, we can continue building a safer, stronger, and more connected community. Click here to donate today.

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About Us

The Door County Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention Foundation is an organization formed to improve public safety and encourage partnerships in Door County.  The Crime Prevention Foundation is supported by the Door County Community Foundation. Through this partnership, the Crime Prevention Foundation is able to minimize its administrative costs and maximize the amount available to help keep the people of Door County safe. Our goal is to promote innovative programs and equipment that will enhance local law enforcement in establishing strategies to prevent crime and strengthen relationships with the community.

The Crime Prevention Foundation is a component fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. All contributions are deductible to the fullest extent by law. Thus, contributions should be directed to:

Crime Prevention Foundation
c/o Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
222 N. 3rd Ave.
Sturgeon Bay, WI  54235

All contributions will be held by the Community Foundation and restricted solely for use by the Crime Prevention Foundation.  For more information, or to discuss a gift of stock or other appreciated assets, contact the Community Foundation at (920) 746-1786. To make a gift online using your credit card, please click here. 

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K-9 Unit

The Door County Sheriff’s Department is dedicated to the safety and welfare of all citizens and visitors. They are committed to partnering with the community to solve problems and improve public safety in a manner that is fair, transparent, and consistent.

The Crime Prevention Foundation is one of the easiest ways the community can help the Sheriff’s Department live out its mission. The Foundation assists the department in providing vital services important to our community. Our communities’ School Resource Officers, DARE program, Chop ‘N’ Shop with a Cop, CRAVE 21 Challenge, along with specialized law enforcement training and equipment, have all benefited from funds raised by the Foundation.

Door County’s K-9 unit is one of the most beloved programs the Crime Prevention Foundation helped revitalize. Donors large and small rallied together to help purchase and train K-9 Deputy Odinn. The Foundation’s involvement didn’t stop there as it continued to support veterinary services, related safety equipment, and further training for Odinn and his handler.

Unfortunately, Deputy Odinn passed away in June 2023, leaving big paws to fill in the department. The Door County Sheriff’s Department knows Odinn will not be easily replaced but is determined to carry on his legacy with the help of the Crime Prevention Foundation.

The Foundation has since helped fund two new K-9 deputies. The first, K-9 TJ, is a Dutch Shepherd imported from Hungary who is trained in narcotics detection, tracking, article location, and patrol. Paired with Deputy Tina Spaulding, TJ also participates in community outreach events and recently took first place in a regional K-9 competition. The second K-9, Rosie, is a German Shepherd from Bulgaria who serves on patrol and with the Door County SWAT team. She is trained in drug detection, tracking, article searches, building searches, and suspect apprehension, working closely with Deputy Mitch Tlachac.

In addition to the K-9 program, the Foundation helped bring Door County’s first certified therapy dog to the Sheriff’s Office in 2024. Finn, a Labradoodle donated by Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, is handled by Coordinated Response Specialist Kyanna Francour and Investigator Ellie Williams. Finn provides comfort and emotional support to Justice Center staff, crime victims, and members of the public, and is quickly becoming a community favorite at events like the Door County Fair and Chop ‘N Shop with a Cop.

Your generous gift to the Crime Prevention Foundation will help care for the K-9 units and therapy dog, and support other law enforcement programs that keep our community safe. Contributions from people like you have already helped us raise sufficient resources to pay for the purchase, training, and equipping of these incredible dogs. However, additional donations are needed to provide for the long-term care of the animals as well as to support other crime prevention efforts in Door County. Click here to make a gift to the Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation.

The Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation is a component fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. All contributions are deductible to the fullest extent as allowed by law.

The Door County Community Foundation, Inc. is a collection of separate charitable funds set up by individuals, families, non-profit organizations, private foundations, and businesses that are managed, invested, and disbursed for the current and future good of Door County. The Community Foundation was launched in 1999, currently administers more than $40 million in assets, and distributes more than $5 million to charities in Door County every year. For more information about the Door County Community Foundation, visit us online at www.GiveDoorCounty.org.

 

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Support Us Today!


Give Today with a Credit Card.  The Crime Prevention Foundation welcomes gifts via credit or debit card.  Please click here to begin a credit card transaction.

Gift by Check.  Simply write a check to “Crime Prevention Foundation” and mail it to:

Crime Prevention Foundation
c/o Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
222 N 3rd Ave
Sturgeon Bay, WI  54235

Bequest.  You can designate a specific gift or portion of your estate to the Crime Prevention Foundation and, very often, receive a substantial reduction in federal gift and estate taxes.

Retirement Account.  Some of the most tax-efficient asset types to give are from your retirement plan accounts since heirs would be taxed on the income in respect of the decedent (IRD). A gift to the Crime Prevention Foundation shields the assets from taxes thereby maximizing your gift to charity.
 
Insurance Policy.  You can name the Crime Prevention Foundation as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy if your family is financially secure and no longer needs the insurance payout.
 
Charitable Remainder Trust. You can place cash or property in a trust that pays annual income to you (or another named beneficiary) for life. After their death, the remainder of the trust transfers to the Crime Prevention Foundation. You will also receive income tax benefits the year you establish your trust.

Charitable Lead Trust.  You can place cash or property in a trust that pays a fixed amount to the Crime Prevention Foundation for the number of years you select. Once this period ends, the assets held by the trust are transferred to the beneficiaries you name. In most cases, you receive a substantial reduction in federal gift and estate taxes.

Gift of Non-Cash Assets.  You can give publicly traded stock, artwork, or other assets that have financial value through any of the gift vehicles noted above. By donating a highly appreciated non-cash asset, you also typically avoid paying taxes on your capital gains.

Gifts of Real Estate & Closely Held Stock. Contributions of these kinds of assets to the Crime Prevention Foundation normally entitles you to deduct their fair market value. The same gift to a private foundation typically is limited to its cost basis – what you paid for the asset.

Wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, or other estate documents which articulate your intended gift to the Crime Prevention Foundation should be directed to the following entity:

“Door County Community Foundation, Inc., for the benefit of the Crime Prevention Foundation”

The Crime Prevention Foundation operates as a component fund of the Door County Community Foundation. Through this partnership, the Crime Prevention Foundation is able to minimize its administrative costs and maximize the amount available to help keep the people of Door County safe.

As a 501(c)(3) public charity, charitable gifts qualify for the maximum tax deduction as allowed by federal law.

Please contact us at (920)746-1786, or by email, if you would like assistance facilitating an estate gift, or to answer any questions you may have.

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School Resource Officer Program


A well-founded School Resource Officer program is one of the best school security investments a community can make.  The return on that investment, however, goes well beyond school security.

Before the 1999 school tragedy in Columbine, Colorado, the role of the police officer on a school campus was primarily one of being an enforcer and a deterrent.  The officer intervened in criminal and drug activity, provided basic security, and otherwise was meant to be a visible presence so that both students and dangerous adults would think twice before committing a criminal act. Unfortunately, what Columbine and similar tragedies taught us was that a police presence isn’t as effective a deterrent as our society had hoped.

What the latest research clearly demonstrates is that the best way to deter criminal activity in a school is for the officer to be more than merely present in the building.  The most effective way to keep our kids safe, and help them thrive, is for the officer to be a resource to the school community.

That’s the value of a School Resource Officer.

A School Resource Officer (commonly referred to as an “SRO”) is a career law enforcement officer with sworn authority that is deployed in a community-oriented policing role within a school environment.  An SRO is more than your typical police officer.  These are specially trained and equipped officers that actively work in partnership with teachers and administrators to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for our children.

A primary role of a School Resource Officer is to establish positive, trusting relationships with the young people in their school.  The intent is to ensure that every student has an interaction with the officer, but that first interaction is not one that places the officer in an enforcement role.  Instead, the idea is for the officer to be seen as a friend, confidant, and informal mentor.

First, by establishing open and trusting lines of communication with students, the officer is seen as an ally and friend to help young people through difficult life and school situations.  Second, the officer is an educator on challenging issues that have the potential to bring a person in contact with law enforcement.  Finally, should the safety of our children be compromised, the School Resource Officer is on hand to respond as a sworn law enforcement professional.

Research has demonstrated that School Resource Officers can play a critical role in keeping our kids safe and helping them to thrive.  Unfortunately, there is no formal, county-wide School Resource Officer program in Door County.

The Door County Sheriff’s Department, the Crime Prevention Foundation, and all five of Door County’s school districts partnered together to launch a county-wide effort in the Fall of 2019.

While the ongoing operational expenses of the School Resource Officer program are entirely the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department and the respective school districts, working in a school environment surrounded by young people is not the typical policing experience.  Hence, to get the program off the ground, the community was invited to assist with several initial expenses that properly set up the offices as well as specially trained and equipped the officers. Thanks to the generosity of the community, there is now a School Resource Officer in every school district in Door County. 

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School Resource Officer Expenses

While the on-going operational expenses of the School Resource Officer program will be entirely the responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department and the respective school districts, working in a school environment surrounded by young people is not the typical policing experience.  Hence, to get the program off the ground, the community is being invited to assist with several initial expenses that will properly set up the offices as well as specially train and equip the officers.

INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT EXPENSES

Protective and Duty Gear                                                                          $6,891 per school district
Working in a school with children requires that the Officers be properly equipped and weapons appropriately stored.

Technology                                                                                                     $1,340 per school district
An office at each school needs to be outfitted with a computer appropriate for police work and other basic technology.

Vehicle                                                                                                             $29,413 per school district
A police vehicle appropriate for a school setting will be positioned at each District to enable the School Resources Officers to immediately address any issue that may arise at a school.

Training and Education                                                                            $2,915 per school district
Specialized training in working with youth and in a school system is important to the success of every School Resource Officer program.

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TOTAL COST PER DISTRICT:                                                                 $40,559 per school district

COUNTYWIDE EXPENSES

Record Management System and Student Smartphone App       $3,900 for all district
The office in each school must be connected into the Sheriff’s Departments computer system.  A specialized smartphone app complements the entire program by making it easy for students to communicate directly with the School Resource Officers.

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TOTAL INITIAL COSTS TO LAUNCH PROGRAM:                        $125,577

This is where people like you can help.  By making a contribution to the Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation (a fund of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.), your gift will help cover the initial expenses that are needed to get the county-wide School Resource Officer program off the ground.

To make a contribution online, click here.  Or you can mail your gift to:

Crime Prevention Foundation
c/o Door County Community Foundation, Inc.
222 N. 3rd Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI  54235