(BENTON, IL) — The Benton City Council got a report Monday night regarding the police department’s efforts to create a K9 unit. Public Health and Safety Commissioner Don Storey told the council that the amount raised so far to make the K9 unit happen is $7,000. But according to Police Chief Kyle Melvin, that number did not take into account the portion the police department still owes a shirt company. Melvin says so in total profits, the police department is at approximately $5,000 of its $30,000 goal. Money raised so far has come from barbecue and t-shirt fundraisers along with private donations. More fundraisers are in the works according to Melvin such as a gun raffle. But that is currently on hold while police continue to work on raising money for the Shop with a Cop program. The chief says he is seeking grants to help the police department fund the K9 unit. Storey says once the holidays are over, he wants to resume raising more money with hopes of having the K9 unit up and running by May or June of next year.