Countywide : Drug-Sniffing Dogs to Return to Schools

Random searches for drugs by police dogs will continue in September at seven high schools in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Westminster, school district trustees announced this week.

Huntington Beach Union High School District trustees said they have received broad support for the program from students and parents.

Huntington Beach Police Lt. W. Clyde Stuart, who supervised campus visits by the canine teams, said the searches uncovered no measurable amounts of drugs.

There were isolated incidents of smoking devices and drug paraphernalia being discarded hastily at some campuses, indicating that the program was accomplishing its goal of serving as a deterrent, he said.

The program started April 30. Officers and police dogs from Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Westminster police departments and the Orange County Probation Department took part.

Ocean View High School Principal Carla Rush told trustees that she welcomes continuation of the program because it promotes the goal of having a drug-free campus. In addition, the canine teams and school officials worked well together, she said.

Rush said that dogs conducted their search of lockers while students were not present and caused no disruptions.

Stuart also told district officials that police are considering the possibility of training a dog to detect nitrates and other odors associated with firearms and expand campus searches to include weapons.

“We’ve received nothing but positive comments from the community, and the kids felt good about it,” Trustee Bonnie Bruce said.