Hobart panel welcomes new K-9 officer to city police force

The Hobart Board of Works and Public Safety accepted the newest member of the city’s police department — a not quite 2-yearold K-9 named Faust at its Wednesday meeting.

Faust’s handler, Officer Jason Hayes, said Faust is the seventh K-9 currently on the police department, but another K-9 will be retiring soon.

He said Faust was imported from Czechoslovakia.

Mayor Brian Snedecor said Faust is trained in detection, tracking and protection.

“We’re very excited to have him and the board allowing us to keep him,” Hayes said.

Snedecor said the city takes pride in its K-9 department.

“When we go to competitions, we usually take first place or place high,” Snedecor said.

In other matters, it was announced that the city received an “Excellence in GIS” award from the Indiana Geographic Information Council.

Clerk-Treasurer Deborah

Longer said the state council issues one award for small communities with a population of under 50,000 and one to larger communities each year. Hobart took the award in the small population category.

She said MS4 coordinator Tim Kingsland applied for the award due to the city departments’ expanded use of GIS.

“More and more staff are using it. It’s become more efficient in identifying certain properties,” Longer said.

The board also approved the use of fireworks at the city’s holiday tree lighting event to be held Nov. 26 at 3rd and Main streets.

At the City Council meeting that followed later Wednesday, the council moved forward a zone change request to allow for a CarLotz used car dealership at 3802 and 3823 E. Lincoln Highway. CarLotz will sell an individual’s vehicle on a consignment basis.

The council still needs to approve the zone change on a second reading.