ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – As gun violence continues to plague Georgia schools, the Cobb County School District is adding an extra layer of protection to its campuses.
Dogs that can smell explosives and firearms, alongside their handlers, will soon begin conducting routine patrols, the district said. The animals are trained in what’s known as “Vapor Wake” detection, meaning they constantly sample the air for scents and can track threats while in motion for real-time monitoring.
Vapor Wake detection teams are already used in several other settings, including college campuses, sports arenas and theaters.
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“We want our families to see for themselves that our schools are the safest in our community,” Cobb County Board of Education Chair David Chastain said. “These canine teams are another example of us identifying and addressing threats before they happen.”
The dogs come to Cobb County through a partnership with Global K9 Protection Group, an organization specializing in K9 screening.
The announcement comes after a Lindley Middle School student shot herself at school last month, later dying from her injury.
Last September, four people also died at Apalachee High School in Barrow County after a student allegedly opened fire.
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In October, the Cobb County School District said it’s partnering with a private security company comprised of former U.S. intelligence agents and military special operations to help monitor threats. It did not identify the company, citing the “sensitive nature” of their work.
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