RMHS Locked Down Friday For Search

Around 9 a.m. Friday, the Middlesex County Sherriff’s Office K-9 Unit locked down Reading Memorial High School and conducted a canine search of the building and parking lot, according to Reading Public Schools and police.

"All parking lots, common areas, lockers, and some random classrooms were searched in accordance with proper legal procedures and the Reading School Committee Policy JIH on Search and Seizure," a press release from Reading Public Schools and police said. "This lockdown and search drill was the result of extensive planning with school and police personnel and every effort was made to minimize the disruption to instruction."

The school was locked down for about 25 minutes, according to the release. No “alerts” were discovered inside the school, but four “alerts” were discovered in the parking lots. An "alert" means that a canine was able to detect "an odor consistent with illegal narcotics." No illegal narcotics were found during the search.

A repeat search will be conducted if the school system and police believe that it will help their "efforts to maintain a positive learning environment."

"Our continued goal in our schools is to provide a safe environment for your children; where they are not exposed to unlawful and harmful activities such as illegal substance possession. The canines that were used today are trained to search for illegal narcotics. They are part of a highly skilled K-9 unit that conducts school searches throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Similar drills have been held in the last few years at high schools in North Reading, Wilmington, and Melrose," the release said.

Contact Police Chief James Cormier at 781-944-1212 or Superintendent John Doherty at 781-944-5800 with questions.