Superintendent asks SLPD not to use dogs with kids
Filed Friday, October 28, 2005 at 8:59 AM
October 28, 2005 — At a meeting of the 26th Ward Democrats last night, St. Louis Schools Superintendent Creg E. Williams said that he had spoken with Police Chief Joe Mokwa about the use of police dogs when responding to calls at city schools. Williams reported that the chief agreed to no longer use the K-9 units.
According to Williams, the conversation came about after the St. Louis Police Department responded to a fight at Vashon High School this week with dozens of police officers, two K-9 units, and two helicopters. The fight involved 8 teenage girls and resulted from an argument between two of the girls, both of whom were dating the same boy.
Williams said that the large police response was part of a larger image problem with Vashon high. He also said that the use of dogs to control and intimidate young people at the overwhelmingly-black high school was unnecessary. Apparently the police chief agreed.