CONTACT:  Wendy V. Long, Public Relations

                        (413) 685-1003

Gateway holds K-9 search with Mass State Police

Huntington –At the beginning of school on Tuesday February 6, 2007, the Gateway Regional High School and Middle School held a shelter in place for students and staff as the State Police K-9 unit came in to perform a scheduled search of the building.

Superintendent Dr. David Hopson contacted Sgt. Raymond of the Massachusetts State Police in November 2006, and requested that he bring the K-9 unit back, as had been done in years past. The school believes that periodic, random searches by the K-9 unit send a strong message to students: do not bring drugs, tobacco or alcohol to Gateway.  Sgt. Raymond responded that the unit was very busy and that Gateway might be scheduled for January 2007.

Although it was later than expected the search went as planned and the outcome was very positive for the complex. Sgt. Raymond arrived at the school with his team of State Police and their K-9 sidekicks. As one canine would enter the building the others waited outside for their queue to be brought in. All four canines used in the search were very effective in finding the “planted substance”, located in an area by the main lobby.

After searching the schools, the State Police and the K-9’s then proceeded to the back parking lot where they conducted a search of the vehicles.  Nothing was found on the grounds or in the school. All of the K-9 units, troopers from the Russell State Police Barracks, the School Resource Officer Trooper Mark Rogers, Dr. Hopson and administration reconvened in the main lobby and debriefed the event. All felt that the search went well and were satisfied with the results.