Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Drug-Sniffing Dogs Raid High School in 'Proactive Sweep'

Students were made to stay in their classrooms this morning while a K9 unit searched the school.

UPDATE: Police Chief Thomas O'Loughlin said when officers checked the school, they did not find drugs. Students told Milford Patch Friday morning they saw police pull what appeared to be drugs out of a backpack.

School Superintendent Robert Tremblay released the following statement Friday afternoon:

Today, in conjunction with the Milford Police Department, the Worcester County Juvenile Probation Department, area police departments ( Hopedale, Upton, and Holliston) and K9s assigned to Metro LEC, the Milford Public Schools conducted a proactive sweep of Milford High School. The search included twelve K9 officers and their dogs. While the students remained in their classrooms the hallways, locker rooms, and parking lots were searched. I am pleased to report that no drugs or contraband were found during the search and educational activities were not disturbed. 

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The use of K9s is a procedure that is used periodically at Milford High School in cooperation with local authorities and is just one of the many efforts that is used to ensure the safety and security of our schools.

ORIGINAL STORY: State and local police used drug-sniffing dogs at this morning.

Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Milford Sgt. John Sanchioni, authorities, led by a K9 unit from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (Metrolec), cleared the high school around 10 a.m.

"K9s were up there sniffing around," Sanchioni said. "I'm not sure if this was routine but there weren't any arrests. If there had been, (those arrested) would have been brought here to the station."

Students said the raid started at 8 a.m., and that they observed dogs lead police to a locker. When the locker was opened, police reportedly grabbed a backpack and pulled out a bag containing what appeared to be marijuana. (Editor's note: police said drugs were not found.)

Parents received an automated phone message from the Alert Now system, letting them know of the search and reiterating the district's commitment to have a drug-free school.

The incident coincides with "Healthy Kids Week." Some students were walking outside in recognition of the week; they had to stay outside during the search. Students were asked to stay in their classrooms.


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