Lebanon OH adds drug detection K9 to schools
CINCINNATI, OH April 29 2019 The Lebanon City School District and Lebanon Police Department announced a joint venture to place a drug detection K9 on the junior high and high school grounds.
Superintendent Todd Yohey submitted a $30,000 grant proposal to then Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine for the purchase of a drug dog, which included a partnership with the police department.
K9 Max and Lebanon Police Officer Eric Holmes underwent several months of training.
Max is a 1.5-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix.
They were trained by Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania.
The announcement states that in addition to the school safety program Officer Holmes and Max will be focused on school buildings, school activities, and safety and prevention methods.
“Our K-9 Team and School Resource Officer are visible symbols of our commitment to enhancing school safety and security.
Dogs have been proven effective in bridging the gap between law enforcement and children, opening up the lines of communication where a child or parent might not normally feel comfortable approaching or speaking with a police officer.
The K-9 Team will enhance the existing SRO program and look for ways to benefit the program by using Max as a means to initiate and maintain communications with the police.
Max’s presence in the schools is a four legged reminder of school safety and security, and a member of the school district family,” they said in a release.
FOX19
