An animal welfare organization is asking for the public’s help in locating equipment stolen earlier this month outside the fire station at Comly and Academy roads in the Far Northeast.
Jennifer Leary, founder of the Red Paw Emergency Relief Team, said the cargo unit from one of the group’s vehicles went missing sometime after 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, and a team member noticed it was gone the next day.
Red Paw is a nonprofit group of firefighters and veterans who work with city agencies to rescue pets affected by residential fires and other disasters.
The cargo unit, which was on top of an SUV, contained new respirator masks Red Paw had just purchased with grant money, according to Leary. In addition, the unit held Leary’s original fire department bunker gear from when she graduated from the academy 12 years ago. It had been repurposed for use with Red Paw.
“My personal bunker gear was in it,” Leary said. “It means a lot to me.”
Leary said she reported the theft to Northeast Detectives. A police department spokesperson declined to release information about the case.
Although Engine 22, 3270 Comly Road, has cameras, the Red Paw vehicle was parked just out of view, according to Leary.
“I don’t think there’s any usable footage there,” she said.
Leary hopes someone comes forward — either the thief or a person who knows the location of the equipment. The stolen cargo unit is really only valuable to Red Paw, Leary added.
She urged the person who stole the equipment to simply drop it off anonymously at any fire or police station.
“I just really want it back,” Leary said. ••
