9:38am – The lockdown drill and canine sweep have ended. The police did not find drugs or any other contraband.
This morning at approximately 9:05 am, William Floyd High School began an unannounced lockdown drill, one of several which districts are required by NYS to conduct in order to be prepared in the event of an actual emergency. Again, this is only a drill. Following the conclusion of this drill, the Suffolk County Police Department will be conducting a canine sweep to search for illegal drugs or other contraband within school lockers. During this time, students and staff will stay in their assigned locations while the officers and dogs complete the sweep. This combined lockdown drill and canine sweep is expected to last approximately 40 minutes.
Why are the drills unannounced?
Lockdown drills are unannounced to prepare students and staff in the event of an actual emergency.
Why is the district conducting a canine sweep?
This partnership with the Suffolk County Police Department is designed to keep our schools safe by removing drugs or other contraband from them. Canine sweeps are effective in finding contraband and also act as a deterrent. High school parents/guardians are notified at the beginning of each school year through a letter home that canine sweeps may occur randomly throughout the school year. You can find a copy of that letter linked here: http://bit.ly/K9Sweep18-19.