High School on 1 Hour Non-Emergency Lock Out During Canine Search

The Kings Park High School was on a non-emergency lock out for about one hour yesterday as members of Suffolk County’s Fourth Precinct and canine unit used a drug sniffing dog to search the building for drugs on Thursday afternoon.

Kings Park Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Agruso announced at the Feb. 10 Board of Education meeting that she was pleased to report that no drugs were found.

Agruso explained that the school is put into a non-emergency lock out so that students and teachers are kept in the classroom and away from the dog as the search is conducted.  All halls were locked off and no teachers or children were allowed in the halls as members of the fourth precinct, with Agruso present, conducted the search.

“This is not a pet, this is a serious dog,” said Agruso.

Kings Park High School principal Lino Bracco and Agruso, at the request of the police, were the only people outside of the police who were aware in advance that the search would take place.

Kings Park In the Know, a local anti-drug task force, was pleased with the decision of the school to conduct the search and believes it sends a powerful message to students and the community that the district will not tolerate illegal substances on campus.

"It also speaks volumes about the district's concern about illegal drugs and we are very greatful to our administrators and our board of education for being part of the solution," said Maureen Rossi, president of In the Know.

Agruso indicated at the board meeting that future searches would take place within the school and the searches would remain unannounced.