Pine Ridge Police Department’s K-9 adding to the region’s safety after going on duty in 2019

Pine Ridge, SC (Paul Kirby) – The Pine Ridge’s Police Department’s newest member of the force, K-9 Rens, is quickly proving his worth to the region as a whole in many ways. Rens is handled by Lt. Vince Silano, an experienced handler, who has owned and handled several police K-9s before. Together, the team has been helping not only protect the citizens of Pine Ridge, but also the people in the surrounding areas in many ways.

Recently, just after midnight, Lt. Silano and Rens were requested to respond for a call in the South Congaree area by Lexington County sheriff’s deputies. Deputies were searching for a man that was threatening to harm himself and was thought to be in possession of a weapon. Lt. Silano and Rens arrived on scene quickly and began tracking. Ultimately, they found the disturbed subject hiding in some woods along a privacy fence. Rens alerted Lt. Silano of the person’s presence by giving an active alert. This means that Rens holds his position and begins barking to let his handler know he’s found whom they were searching for. The subject was quickly detained and turned over to Lexington County EMS for evaluation and treatment. Lt. Silano said that Rens did a phenomenal job as always and was allowed to play with his ball as a reward.

This is just one of many instances where Lt. Silano and Rens have helped the citizens and other departments of other jurisdictions in the areas surrounding their town. It should make people proud that Pine Ridge’s newest law enforcement officer is on the prowl. He just helps others in a bit more of an unconventional manner than most officers, he uses paw power!