Pubdate: Fri, 10 Dec 2004
Source: Bismarck Tribune (ND)
Copyright: 2004 The Bismarck Tribune
Contact:  http://www.bismarcktribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/47
Author: Mike Albrecht, Bismarck Tribune
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DOGS CIRCLE HIGH SCHOOLS IN SEARCH OF DRUGS

Lyle Sinclair and his dog, Nick, were among five K-9 units searching
for drugs Thursday in the streets and avenues around Bismarck High
School.

Another five officers and their dogs were doing the same thing near
Century High School.

Usually, local authorities search only one school, but this time they
had the manpower to try something different. The North Dakota Highway
Patrol and the Bismarck Police Department hosted a training event
Thursday for drug dogs. Dog handlers from across the state agreed to
help simultaneously search Bismarck's two public high schools.

Almost every available curbside parking spot within three blocks of
Bismarck High School was filled. Sinclair watched his German shepherd
closely as the leashed dog pulled him past dozens of cars. If the
canine jerked his head or pawed at a vehicle, there might be
marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine or hash inside.

Blocks away, more dogs and owners were doing the same type of work.
They took orders from search coordinator and school resource officer
Perry Lauer. The team's goal was to run the dogs past all the cars in
one class period, or about an hour.

The first vehicle to attract the dog's attention was parked a couple
blocks east of the high school. The car's owner was inside the vehicle
reading a book. He told officers they could search for drugs.

Police need the vehicle owner's permission or a search warrant to look
through cars parked on public streets. School officials can authorize
vehicle searches in the school parking lots.

School Resource Officer Kyle Gebhardt rummaged through the suspect
vehicle. Sinclair put his dog in a patrol car so he wouldn't
interfere. Dogs typically don't help look inside vehicles because they
could damaged the car or injure themselves.

No drugs were found, so the hunt turned to the school parking lots.
Dogs indicated that there were drugs in a couple of vehicles there.
The owners were pulled out of classes.

School officials didn't let a Tribune reporter stay in the parking lot
during the searches.

About a half dozen vehicles were searched between the two schools. A
"minuscule" amount of marijuana, a bottle of vodka, a can of beer and
two packs of cigarettes were found, Lauer said. Two juveniles were
cited with being minors in possession of alcohol and two others got
tobacco violations.

"The reason for the searches is twofold," Lauer said. "We do it to
find drugs and also as a deterrent for the kids."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin