K-9 Safety Sweeps
HAMMOND, LA - August 8, 2019- The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office K-9 and Narcotics K-9 Units conducted narcotics and safety searches of several area high schools in hopes to detect and locate any contraband substances before students begin to arrive for the new school year.
The Tangipahoa Parish School Administration granted permission for the sheriff's office to perform the proactive searches to ensure the safety and security of our campuses, and to provide a form of on-going training for our K-9's and handlers. These K-9's, commonly referred to as “drug dogs,” are narcotic detector dogs. These energetic and enthusiastic working dogs, are specially trained and certified to actively seek out the odor of illicit narcotics and/or firearms.
K-9's and their handlers searched all gathering areas such as cafeterias, libraries, gymnasiums, restrooms, weight rooms,lockers, and band rooms. All areas were found to be clear of any type of narcotic in which these dogs are trained to detect. Although a long a tedious process, TPSO K-9 Handlers left each school with confidence knowing there were no drugs or contraband in the common areas searched.
“We are committed to being proactive in our efforts to maintain school safety and a drug-free school environment for students," Edwards says. "Throughout the school year, TPSO K-9 teams will continue to be available and utilized as needed to keep our schools safe and free of drugs."
Area high schools searched were Loranger, Amite, Independence, Hammond, Ponchatoula, Kentwood, and Sumner.
