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Four dogs searched the parking lots of Warsaw Community High School this morning for illegal drugs in students' cars.
They found nothing.
The Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and Noble County Sheriff's Department provided K-9 units to conduct the search.
"We want to continue to keep the high school a drug-free environment," said Warsaw Police Captain Steve Foster and coordinator of the search.
The four dogs and their handlers braved the cold and flurries to search the parking lots randomly for fifteen minutes at a time all morning.
"We did this a few years ago, doing all the cars and building," said WCHS principal Paul Crousore. "We think it is more effective now to do the lots today and do random parts of the building and lots later. We want to have periodic random dog searches come in through the rest of the year."
Crousore explained, "The reason of the search is to be pro-active. We do not want illegal drugs on school property ... The whole idea is to serve as a deterrent. If students need help, we'll help. If they get caught with the drugs, we will prosecute."
No drugs were found in any of the student or faculty parking lots. School administrators oversaw the searches. If drugs had been found in a car, administrators would get the student driver of the car and then school officials would search the inside of the car.
"We want to continue to bring to focus the idea of no drugs at Warsaw Community High School and continue to do what it takes to keep that from happening," Crousore said. He said the school has total support from the school board.
Among the searchers were Warsaw Police K-9 Hero and trainer Al Dials, KCSD Fritz and trainer Craig Bale, and two K-9 and handlers from Noble County.
A Noble County deputy said the dogs seemed to like the inclement weather much better than the handlers.
