Bergen County Police To Conduct K-9 Drill at Ridgewood High School

The Bergen County Police Department plan to conduct a K-9 drill at Ridgewood High School sometime during the fall, according to school officials.

In a letter emailed to parents, school officials said all schools are required to conduct one fire drill and one school security drill per month.

“Security drills allow us to practice procedures in response to specific emergency situations including, but not limited to, non-fire evacuation, lockdown, K-9 police search (drugs/explosives), or active shooter incident,” according to the Oct. 30 letter signed by Superintendent Daniel Fishbein and Principal Thomas Gorman.

It goes on to say that in order to “fulfill the requirements and to maintain our top priority commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff, we have requested that the Bergen County Canine Unit conduct a K-9 search drill of the Ridgewood High School lockers.”

“Students will be secure in their classrooms at the time of the drill and class interruption will be minimal. Instruction will not be negatively impacted, nor will students come in contact with the canines or police,” the statement says.

At least one parent contacted Patch and questioned the purpose of the drill.

“I want to find out if [it’s for] drugs or [if it’s for] security,” said Ridgewood parent Sean McCooe. “Why not call it a drug sweep?”

Fishbein says it is simply a drill.

“We take these drills very seriously and we want to make sure we’re prepared in case there’s ever a real emergency,” Dr. Fishbein said.

According to the statement, the “intent of the K-9 search drill is to enhance security protocols, but the exercise will also address concerns regarding possible disruptions to the educational process that may be occurring clandestinely.”

And it advises that any positive findings will be handled directly by the Ridgewood High School administration, in accordance with New Jersey statute, Board of Education policy and police regulations.

The statement also reminded parents that students lockers are school property.

“Lockers remain the property of Ridgewood High School. Lockers may be searched by school officials at any time. A record of these assignments will be kept and monitored by the Grade Advisors. Students are expected to use only the lockers which they have been assigned…Student lockers will be subject to periodic inspection by administrative personnel.”

The K-9 drill will happen on a random school day this fall, according to the statement. To view the letter, click here.