As students head back to school in Marion County, Florida, officials have assigned a new police dog that can sniff out firearms to be patrolling campuses to help keep kids safe.
Assigned to the school resource officers division, K-9 Albi – a German short-haired Pointer – is the first guns detection police dog for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said Albi and her handler, Corporal Erik DeAngelis, will be patrolling Marion County schools and school events.
Trained to detect a firearm and its accessories, Albi and Corporal DeAngelis will randomly visit local schools as well as extracurricular and sporting events checking for firearms, ammunition, ammunition casings that have been fired, post-blast residue (after a firearm has been fired), smokeless powder, gun oils, and gun lubricants.
Marion County Sheriff Woods hopes Albi’s crime-fighting skills will help deter potential school shootings.
“With gun violence among our youth on the rise across this nation, my office, along with School Superintendent Dr. Diane Gullett and your Marion County School Board, want to lead the
fight against these crimes here in Marion County,” Sheriff Woods said. “By helping keep guns out of our schools, this dog will save lives.”
Officials say Marion County residents have donated enough money to acquire a second firearms detection dog to join Albi very soon, according to FOX35 News.
“Now, to the would-be perpetrator who thinks they want to bring a firearm to a school or a school function, just remember, we will be there. Albi will be there. You will be caught, and you will be brought to justice!” Sheriff Woods concluded.
In addition, the sheriff’s office said the County’s School Resource Officers didn’t have the summer off as they were busy having active shooter training to ensure children’s safety at school.