No drugs found during lockdown at Newport school

By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN

Special to the Eagle Times
NEWPORT — At the request of the Newport High School administration, the Newport Police Department coordinated a lockdown drill and search of the middle high school this month, but no drugs were found.

Police Chief Jim Burroughs said “contraband” — things not permitted on school property — was discovered.

“Regardless of whether or not drugs were found, the impact this search has on our community, particularly with the students, is profound,’ said Burroughs.

The school was locked down shortly after 9:30 a.m. on May 11. At the direction of the school’s administration, students were asked to place their bags along the hallways. Administration then placed the school in a “soft lockdown” status while the K9 teams went through the school.

A “soft lockdown” is a status the students remain in classrooms and instruction continues. A total of five K9 Teams were present to assist the school in their search of the hallways, lockers and common areas.

 The K9 teams that assisted were from the New Hampshire State Police and included Trooper Eamon Washburn and his K9 Partner Eli, Sergeant Vincent Grieco and his K9 partner Linchen.

There were two teams from the Lebanon Police Department and they were Officer Jeremy Perkins and his K9 partner Blisk and Officer Tyler Hughes and his partner Kimba. Rounding out the five teams was the New London Police Department and Officer Joshua Fisher with his K9 partner Vilo.

“It is nice to know that the school is safe and that the school’s administration and local law enforcement remain committed to ensuring that we all provide a safe and drug-free learning environment,” Burroughs said.

Schools Superintendent Cindy Gallagher was also pleased with the results of the search.  

“We have just completed a lockdown drill at the middle high school which was conducted as a training opportunity for the local K9 dogs who are training for drug searches,” she said. ““We are pleased to work collaboratively with Newport Police to support the efforts of the K9 training for the New Hampshire State Police, Lebanon Police and New London Police.”