Geauga County Bluecoats stand behind those who serve and protect the community.
Geauga County Bluecoats stand behind those who serve and protect the community.
Following a regional K-9 training event held in late October 2025 in collaboration with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, the Bluecoats decided to further support training efforts by purchasing state-of-the art tactical deployment systems for trainers and their K-9s.
Bluecoats, along with donors Chuck Longo and daughter Allie Longo, said they recognized the need for cutting-edge tactical equipment to ensure the future safety of officers and their K-9 partners. They purchased 10 tactical deployment systems, which combine modern engineering and field-tested functionality, from Tactical Deployment Systems in Cleveland.
The equipment was presented to the sheriff’s office K-9 unit and key tactical K-9 trainers in Northeast Ohio on Jan. 6 at Basil Place in Chardon.
“Bluecoats isn’t just about equipment or funding — it’s about showing tangible support, respect and gratitude to law enforcement officers and their families,” said Legacy Bluecoats member Allie, of Russell Township, a 2012 West Geauga High School graduate. “The organization ensures that support isn’t just symbolic — it’s meaningful and impactful. Being able to contribute in a meaningful way, especially here in Geauga County, is something we take great pride in.”
Geauga County Bluecoats is a charitable nonprofit 501(c)3 organization providing support for families of Geauga County safety forces who have lost their lives or become permanently disabled in the line of duty. The group also provides critical training for safety officers in Geauga County and northeastern Ohio.
The donated equipment will improve safety and readiness, enhance community protection, and protect officers and K-9s, according to the organization. Each system includes a patented quick-release mechanism for instant deployment, a remote control system to improve operational control in dynamic situations, a protective sleeve for durability during apprehension and transport, and waterproof, rugged storage.
“Our canine teams respond to all of the serious situations that occur,” said Sgt. Jacob Smith said, leader of the sheriff’s office K-9 unit. “Our dogs are used to search buildings and residences where suspects can be concealed. They are used to track suspects who flee crime scenes. Our teams also handle the perimeter of scenes where the suspects may run from an unknown area of a home or building.
“During these times, the canines are normally connected to leashes,” he explained. “Depending on the situation, this device will now permit the handler to release the canine from the leash, give commands and continue to observe the suspect. We would like to express our gratitude to the Geauga County Bluecoats and the Longo family for their continued support of our office and the donation of the TDS.”
Smith said the device saves handlers valuable time and allows them to stay focused on the rapidly changing dynamics of each call.
“During explosives detection, the canine is sent into areas that are difficult to access by the handler,” Smith said. “The leashes will get tangled on items and this takes a lot of time to fix. Now, the dog can be released and the leash is much easier to untangle and retract back into the leash handle.”
During the team’s weekly K-9 training, the TDS will be used to improve apprehension scenarios, providing multiple new training options for the unit, he said.
“My passion for donating this equipment comes from understanding how critical seconds and safety are in high-risk situations, as well as my lifelong passion and love for animals,” Allie said. “These canine tactical deployment systems are life-saving tools—not just for the K-9s, but for the officers who rely on them. K-9s are often sent into dangerous environments first and they deserve the same level of protection and advanced technology as their human partners. Having advanced, reliable equipment can make a lifesaving difference.”
Allie said she and her father have been involved with the Bluecoats since its inception.
Bluecoats Secretary Anne Jackson honored them by giving Allie awards following the demonstration.
“This will help save officers’ lives and K-9s lives,” Jackson said. “We are so honored that the Longos were kind enough to say this needs to be done.”
Allie added, “This mission is deeply important to both of us because it directly supports the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our community. Supporting local law enforcement has always been important to our family and Bluecoats provides a direct way to give back to the officers and families who serve our community every day.”
Devices were donated to officers from multiple local departments following the sheriff’s office K-9 unit presentation, including Euclid, Lyndhurst, Lorain, South Euclid, Solon and Mayfield Heights police departments, to ensure broader coverage and impact throughout the county.
“This is the largest group of officers to receive these devices at once,” Allie said. “This donation is about more than equipment — it’s about standing behind those who protect our community. I want readers to understand that supporting law enforcement doesn’t have to be abstract — it can be direct, practical and lifesaving. When we invest in modern equipment and resources, we’re investing in the safety of our officers, their families and our entire community.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Geauga County Bluecoats for their continued commitment to ensuring our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to do their jobs safely, making these donations possible, and for continuing to stand behind those who serve and protect,” Allie added. “I’m honored to be part of an organization that turns support into real, lifesaving action.”
