Good News — No Drugs Found At EPS, PJ Schools
Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore just came into the newspaper office to report that a surprise inspection of lockers at schools in Elgin found no trace of drugs.
“I’m happy to report the drug dog had no hits on lockers at either schools,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “It’s a testament to the parents and staff that no drugs were found.”
The surprise inspection of lockers was known only to law enforcement personnel and administration officials at Elgin Public and Pope John. Not even the teachers at the schools were aware of the event. Plans for the searches were in the works for the past six weeks, the sheriff said.
Two officers from Antelope County Sheriff’s Department were joined by one officer and a drug dog named “Senna” from the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
“These drug dogs are good,” Moore said. “If it’s there, they’ll smell it.” The only hit Senna made at the schools were in lockers where the officers planted drugs as a “test.”
“Senna never hit on any other locker,” the sheriff said.
Administrators, Moore said, had the schools go into “lockdown” mode during the searches which were conducted at 1 p.m. (EPS) and 2 p.m. (PJCC).
EPS Superintendent Dan Polk told The Elgin Review he was “pleased and happy” with the results of the search. He said the school utilizes law enforcement in activities like this as part of continuing efforts to protect and maintain a safe environment for learning. “Our good kids did us proud,” he said.
Pope John Principal Betty Getzfred also commented. “A safe and secure place of learning is vital for our students and staff at Pope John XXIII. The search completed on Tuesday in conjunction with the Antelope County Sheriff’s department was deemed as successful. The staff and students followed the protcol stated in our safe and secure plan.”
