Dighton Police Dogs Find Tobacco and BB Gun at High School

The Dighton Police Department conducted scheduled police K-9 searches of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School and Bristol County Agricultural High School this morning (Jan. 31), according to a press release from Police Chief Robert MacDonald.

The searches were conducted simultaneously by Dighton Police at approximately 8:20 a.m. and lasted about 45 minutes at each school.

MacDonald said K-9 searches are done at the schools at least once each school year. He said a notice was sent out to parents at both high schools that the searches were conducted.

Police reported finding no contraband at Bristol County Agricultural High School. However, at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional, "the K-9 had multiple positive alerts inside backpacks and lockers that resulted in the confiscation of a BB gun, a metal baton and several tobacco and THC vaping products," according to the press release.

The matters are currently under investigation by the Dighton Police Department and the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District.

"Safety of students and our schools is one of the top priorities of our department," said MacDonald in a statement. "Searches like today's are a routine part of ensuring that the schools are safe and secure. Seeing that there were some positive alerts by our K-9, and particularly that a weapon was found and seized, is concerning and we will be working with the school department to determine the best course of action as the investigation progresses."

According to the statement, as part of the standard operating procedure of the search, the schools were briefly sheltered in place to ensure that no students came in contact with the K-9. Once the search was completed, the shelter in place order was lifted. The school day then resumed on their regular schedules.

Parents or residents who have questions or concerns can reach the Dighton Police Department at (508) 669-6711, the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District administration at (508) 252-5000, or the Bristol County Agricultural High School administration at (508) 669-6744.