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Date: March 1, 2010 Subject: School Safety Check Initiative
On February 26th, 2010, the Lynn Police Department, in conjunction with the Lynn Public School Department, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, and other law enforcement agencies conducted a school safety check of the three public high schools in Lynn: Lynn English, Lynn Classical, and Lynn Vocational and Technical Institute. The school safety check consisted of narcotic and explosive detection trained K-9 dogs being led by their handlers through the hallways of the schools with particular attention paid to school lockers, common areas, cafeterias, bathrooms, and gymnasiums . A total of 20 K-9 dogs and their handlers participated: 18 of these dogs were narcotic detection K-9’s while the other two were explosive detection dogs. The explosive detection dogs are capable of detecting minute traces of gun powder residue from firearms and their ammunition. An announcement that a school safety check was being conducted allowed for the students to remain in their classrooms and continue classroom activity while the check was being conducted. Teams comprised of two K-9 officers, a Lynn Police officer, and a school department administrator systematically checked proscribed areas for the presence of narcotics and weapons. According to established protocol, lockers would only be opened after two detection dogs indicated separately for the presence of contraband in a particular locker. The school safety check was performed at the behest of the Lynn School Department and over 4,000 lockers were checked at the three high schools: no narcotics or weapons were discovered during the safety check. According to Chief Kevin Coppinger, “an operation of this size, given the number of lockers searched with no contraband found speaks volumes about the safety initiatives we have in place within our schools. This marked our second safety check; lamentably, the first led to an arrest of a student for narcotic possession and distribution. However, the results seen during this current safety check show the efforts of the School Department, the Lynn Police Department, the parents and the students are working relative to the presence of narcotics and weapons. Illegal contraband of any type will not be tolerated in our schools and I believe that we have sent that message by our cooperative efforts with those involved”. “I would like to thank the following individuals and their respective agencies for their assistance in making this school safety check a successful operation: School Security and Emergency Planning Officer Robert Ferrari (Lynn Police), Lieutenants William Borders and Daniel Fee of our juvenile unit and Essex County Drug Task Force respectively, and Sergeant Richard Riley of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. We are especially thankful for the efforts of Sergeant Riley who organized the teams of K-9 dogs and their handlers. With his assistance, the following outside agencies participated in the school safety check initiative: Andover PD, Milton PD, Lowell PD, Peabody PD, Billerica PD, Acton PD, Chelsea PD, Middlesex Sheriff’s Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Rochester, NH PD, Arlington PD, and the Revere Police Department. Again, working collaboratively with law enforcement partners and school administrators is paying dividends towards enhancing school safety.”
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