Parents Welcome Idea of Drug-Sniffing Dog at PV High

Larry Olson said he's heard a lot of stories from his kids about drug use at Palos Verdes High School.

He's not sure how credible the stories are, or how prevalent a drug problem really is at PV—but he knows drug dogs would help.

"I know there's drug problems," Olson, of Rancho Palos Verdes, said. "[Dogs have] to have a positive impact."

In attendance at a meeting at PV High Wednesday night to discuss the dog coming to campus this year, Olson was not the only parent who felt a dog would benefit the school.

"I don't think drugs belong on campus," said Janet Dilello, of Palos Verdes Estates. "If we have a problem, we need to do something about it."

More than 40 parents attended the forum to hear what "Lobo," a two-year-old German Shepherd from Czechoslovakia, could do on their kids' campus. 

PV High Principal Chris Bowles said the school wants Lobo to patrol campus with a Palos Verdes Estates Police handler at least once per week beginning this spring. The district's board of education would still have to officially approve the dog's use before it began work on campus.

Lobo would walk through parking lots, banks of lockers, locker rooms and patrol at lunchtime, Bowles said. The dog would not walk through classrooms.

He hopes the dog's presence would deter kids from bringing drugs to school.

"Kids have a right to come to the high school campus without being near [drugs]," he said.

Reigning in a drug problem that seems to be an issue at every school he's worked at, including PV High, is one of the school's goals, Bowles said.

"There's been a drug problem at every one of those schools," he said. "The kids know what's happening. ... [We're] getting a sense there's a little rise here, there's concern."

In a demonstration, one of the PVE Police Department officials hid a small amount of heroin in lockers at the back of the meeting room. Lobo began a search and successfully found the drugs.

The dog can detect all drugs common to California and their derivatives. Lobo is not trained to detect firearms or explosives on campus.

If brought to the school, Lobo could also search near cars parked off campus.

Drug-dogs currently patrol high schools in Torrance and Manhattan Beach, and soon at Redondo Union High School. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School does not currently have dogs on campus.

One parent asked about bringing the dog to dances at PV High and Bowles didn't turn down the idea, saying "it wouldn't bother us," but it would depend on the availability of the dog and its handler.

Support from parents could change once Lobo is brought to campus, Bowles said.

"Parents are always going to support something until it involves their son or daughter," he said.

But for now, it's looking like PV High might welcome Lobo in the near future.

"It's a no-lose situation," Bowles said. "All it can do is help."