Niles Community Schools implements canine detection program

NILES, Mich.--- Niles Community Schools is instituting a canine detection program for the 2019-2020 school year. The program partners with local law enforcement agencies to bring K9 search teams to the schools to search for drugs.

This partnership comes on the heels of Michigan legalizing recreational marijuana. "We’re trying to be proactive and just out front and letting parents know we’re going to be diligent in what we do," said Tracy Hertsel, Director of Student Support Services for Niles Community Schools. 

These searches will be conducted regularly throughout the school year. On Wednesday, the K9 teams were brought to Niles High School to get them more familiar with the campus.

"We don’t have a problem at all with drugs right now but with the new legalization of marijuana in Michigan and that, we’re just trying to be proactive," said Hertsel.