Ohio District Adds Drug-Sniffing Dog to Patrol Schools

Ohio District Adds Drug-Sniffing Dog to Patrol Schools

Lebanon City Schools and local law enforcement have collaborated to acquire a drug-sniffing police dog to patrol schools.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • April 29, 2019

Lebanon City Schools has collaborated with local law enforcement to acquire a drug-detection K-9, according to a district press release.

The drug-sniffing dog, whose name is Max, was acquired through a $30,000 state grant. Superintendent Todd Yohey sought out the grant funding to pay for the hiring of Max as well as the purchase of radios for the district’s schools.

The district paid for the dog as well as his training. The police department “accepts ownership, care and additional training” of Max. The police department also converted a patrol car for the K-9 unit.

“I saw the safety grant as a way to deter students from bringing illegal drugs and substances onto school grounds,” Yohey said. “We want parents to know that we are looking out for the well-being of their children and trying to dissuade their participation in activities that may harm them.”

Max is trained to “take down an intruder upon command,” Yohey said, providing a further security measure for district staff and students.

Max, who is a German Shepard/Malinois mix, has completed training with Lebanon Police Officer Eric Holmes. Holmes and Max are slated to patrol the district’s junior high and high schools.

“The SRO and canine partnerships with the Lebanon Police Department and City of Lebanon have significantly increased our school security,” Yohey said. “Having a drug dog at school may not stop students from participating in drug use, but should help us keep drugs off of our school campuses. It would be foolish for a student or anyone else to bring drugs onto our campuses knowing that a drug dog is on duty.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular