Dog Program to Sniff Out Drugs & Ammo in School, D122 Calls it Proactive

New Lenox School District 122 is bringing in a handler and his dog to sniff for drugs, firearms and ammunition as a precaution.

Administrators are working out a schedule to introduce Interquest Detection Canines—Glenn VadeBoncoeur and his dog—to the schools. In the wake of the Sandy Hook School shooting in December 2012, school officials have been revamping and hyping up their security measures. The program is planned to get underway before the end of the school year.  

Nick DiSandro, president of the NLSD122 Board, said, "With an increase in drug related deaths in Will County and the safety issues across the country, the board and the administration feel this is a proactive way to increase safety and security in our schools."

While the firm is based out of Houston, the local office is in Winfield. New Lenox Police School Resource Officer Mike Jurka recommended the drug-sniffing pooch. Jurka said, "I'm not saying we have a problem. I'm saying we want to keep the schools safe. Why wait for a problem to develop?"

VadeBoncoeur and his pooches have been strolling the halls of Providence Catholic High School for the past few years and since about 2007 at the buildings at Lincoln-Way High School District 210. Several times, the team has been hired to sniff out contraband at Mokena Junior High School too, he said.

The cost for VadeBoncoeur and his current dog, Goldie, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever, to sniff out the lockers, backpacks and school property is $345 a visit. The visits are more than just a sniff though, said VadeBoncoeur. There's an educational program that goes along with it. The dog handler stops in classrooms to talk about safety issues.

The company's website provides a description of the service: "Our comprehensive detection and deterrence program has one objective: to reduce the presence of drugs, beverage alcohol, abused medication and weapons on campus and school grounds. We accomplish these objectives through the use of scent trained detection canines."

According to DiSandro, "This is strictly being used to prevent problems in our schools. It is our job to make sure we are doing everything possible to protect the kids that spend so much time in our schools."

At the same time, VadeBoncoeur said, the canine-sniffing program doesn't alarm the kids. Goldie is trained and highly user-friendly. In light of the frightening stories of school shootings and more, VadeBoncoeur said kids have told him that the dog's presence lends a sense of security.    

This school canine team is not like a dog sniffing law enforcement search that goes after people too. "The dog's not trained to alert on people. It's not a police dog," said Jurka.

 If it detects the scent on an individual, it doesn't know what to do. It gets confused because it's a moving target, according to VadeBoncoeur. The training program is designed "not to violate people's rights," he said.    

How do you feel about a drug-sniffing dog in the school? Tell us in the comments.

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