Pubdate: Tue, 09 May 2006
Source: Portsmouth Herald (NH)
Copyright: 2006 Seacoast Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1157
Author: Emily Aronson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DRUG DOG SWEEP AT HIGH SCHOOL?

PORTSMOUTH - With a handful of high profile student drug arrests this 
year, the School Board and Police Commission met Monday to discuss 
police presence at city schools.

The group met in non-public session with City Attorney Bob Sullivan 
and Assistant City Attorney Kathleen Dwyer to talk about police 
involvement and drug enforcement, Sullivan said. The meeting was 
initiated by the Police Commission.

"There may be policy changes which arise from this discussion," 
Sullivan said, before adding that he could not elaborate because it 
was a nonpublic meeting. He said any changes would have to be 
approved at subsequent public meetings.

The school and police departments currently have a memorandum of 
understanding that describes "collaborative efforts to provide a safe 
and healthy school environment." It outlines school employees' 
requirements to notify police if they witness or receive information 
about a crime in or around school property, such as theft, assault, 
illegal sale or possession of drugs, and unlawful use of firearms.

Before the meeting, Police Chief Michael Magnant said police have 
made "great strides" with the school resource officer program, but 
there is more that could be done to prevent student use of alcohol and drugs.

"I think a big thing we're going to be talking about is expanding the 
use of the canines," he said, referring to police drug-sniffing dogs.

More than a year ago, police dogs searched Portsmouth High School and 
student backpacks during a drug sweep.  Magnant said the sweep did 
not find anything, but he thinks periodic searches deter students 
from bringing drugs to school.

Magnant said police have "several times" offered to do another drug 
sweep, but said the School Board is still thinking about it.

Following Monday's meeting, board Chairman Kent LaPage said he could 
not comment on the drug-dog issue.

Last week, Police Commission Chairman Jack Kelley said recent drug 
arrests at the high school are "only the tip of the iceberg." He said 
better collaboration between police and schools is needed, as well as 
community education about teenage drug use and police rights on school grounds.

"I think maybe there was a feeling that some parents are very 
resistant about having police getting involved with the children and 
schools," he said.

Both Kelley and LaPage agreed that both bodies should take another 
look at police and school policies, but would not say which specific 
rules might be re-evaluated.

"We have all agreed in principle," Kelley said. "We need greater 
unification of policy. It will all come together in the near future." 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake