BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County commissioners approved the $3,500 purchase of a dedicated K-9 vehicle for Boundary County Probation on May 11, subject to an inspection by Boundary County chief probation officer Alisa Walker. It will be the department’s second vehicle following a March 2026 acquisition from the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. 

The vehicle is currently owned by the Idaho Falls Police Department.  

“Recognizing the growing challenges posed by opioid trafficking and substance abuse within our community, the Boundary County Probation Department has worked proactively to strengthen community safety efforts through the implementation of our Probation K-9 program,” Walker said in a statement. 

Walker said probation departments across Idaho use patrol-style vehicles for probation and enforcement operations. 

“We identified an affordable and effective solution for a K-9-specific patrol vehicle,” Walker said. 

The vehicle will transport their K-9 partner, Gator, to probation searches, narcotics detection operations, interagency law enforcement support, school demonstrations and drug prevention education programs.  

“K9 Gator recently participated in a demonstration at Valley View Elementary, where students learned about the dangers of illegal drugs, the importance of community safety, and the positive role law enforcement plays in protecting local families,” Walker said. 

Walker said the probation K-9 program not only assists in identifying illegal narcotics but also serves as a visible deterrent to drug activity while building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. 

The vehicle will be specially equipped for the dog. 

“A K9 patrol vehicle differs significantly from a standard patrol vehicle because it must include specialized equipment designed to protect the health and safety of the canine partner,” Walker said. “The rear compartment must provide a secure and level transport area, and the vehicle must be equipped with heat monitoring and safety systems to ensure the wellbeing of K9 Gator during field operations and deployments.” 

Walker said the $3,500 price tag was low for a vehicle that would benefit the community. 

“New K-9 patrol vehicles often cost tens of thousands of dollars, and even used K-9-ready vehicles can require significant additional expense for specialized upfitting, including safety equipment, K-9 containment systems and heat monitoring technology,” Walker said. 

“Boundary County Probation is extremely grateful for the support and partnership provided by the Idaho Falls Police Department in helping fulfill a critical need for our Probation K-9 Program,” she said.

Probation Officer Nate Strege and K-9 Gator completed a 160-hour K-9 narcotic detection school in February 2026 and are now fully certified in controlled substance detection.