PORTAGE SCHOOLS CHECKED FOR DRUGS

No Drugs Found At Field; One Charged At Streetsboro High

Two Portage County school districts had unannounced drug sweeps this
week, which resulted in charges being filed against one student.

Officers from the Streetsboro Police Department conducted a sweep of
Streetsboro High School Thursday, which involved a check of school
lockers and vehicles in the schools parking lot.

As a result, charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth
degree misdemeanor, were filed against student Christopher
Steinheiser, 18 of Streetsboro.

No drugs were found during a sweep of Field high and middle schools Tuesday.

Streetsboro Police Lt. Roy Mosley said the school was placed in
lock-down by school administrators while the sweep was conducted by
two canine units.

The Portage County Drug Task Force, the Portage County Sheriffs
Office and the Garrettsville Police Department assisted Streetsboro
officers with the sweep.

"While we would prefer that no circumstances arise that require the
filing of criminal charges, the fact that we only had one instance
of charges being filed is still a positive outcome," Mosley said.
"The school wants to be proactive in its approach to keeping
the school environment positive and free from this kind of thing,
and we will continue to assist them with unannounced checks in the future."

At Field schools, Brimfield Police Chief David Blough said it was
the third sweep of the schools during which no drugs were found.

"Im really proud of the kids," he said.

All sweeps are unannounced not even administrators know about them,
Blough said.

"I arrive at the school two minutes before the dogs do," Blough
said. "I tell them to lock the school down and the dogs come in."

In this sweep, 17 police dogs including two from the Kent Police
Department participated. The other dogs belong to an organization in
which various agencies, such as a police department, may belong,
Blough said. The sweeps not only sniff out drugs, but also helps to
give the dogs practice.

The sweep at both Field schools lasted one hour.

"We dont want to be disruptive," Blough said. Usually, only one
school is done at a time.

A sweep also can involve vehicles parked in the schools parking
lots, but because of construction and liabilities, Superintendent
David Redd said Tuesdays sweeps were confined to the inside of the buildings.

"We want the schools to be drug free," he said. "Were glad to
confirm that theres nothing going on in the school. Were always
pleased and proud of our students theyre there for the education."

"I am absolutely impressed," Blough said of the students. "We do the
sweeps, trying to get everyone to realize that the school systems
are there for learning. Its a drug-free zone. If were sending a
message that drugs arent allowed in the community, we need to
send the message that drugs are not allowed in school."

The Portage County Drug Task Force is comprised of officers from the
Streetsboro, Kent, Windham and Aurora Police Departments, along with
the Portage County Sheriffs Office and the Portage County Prosecutors Office.