Osseo schools will use drug dogs in parking lots
by The Associated Press

OSSEO -- Dogs will be sniffing for drugs in Osseo schools' parking lots this fall.

The dogs and their police handlers will initially do random searches at lots at the district's four high schools.

But assistant superintendent Kate Maguire says the searches could expand to include high school and junior high school buildings.

The searches are part of the district's plan to make schools safer. She says it's not in response to any bad behavior -- but instead it's a deterrent.

Other efforts to make the schools safer include installing better lighting and security cameras, and confining building exits and entrances to one front entryway.

District officials consulted surrounding districts that also conduct random canine searches. Those include Anoka-Hennepin, Hopkins and Minnetonka.

Other Twin Cities districts have used random canine searches in the past.