"Canine cop's beat is MidAmerica"

Friday, October 19, 2007

Canine cop's beat is MidAmerica
Sheriff's deputy has nose for safety
BY RICKEENA J. RICHARDS
The Belleville (IL) News-Democrat


MASCOUTAH -- St. Clair County and St. Louis MidAmerica Airport are now a bit
safer in the paws of the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department's newest
member, according to county, sheriff's department and airport officials.

Jesse is the department's new bomb-detecting dog. The 4-year-old female
German shepherd joined the force in June. She was trained to detect
substances that may be used to make explosives, apprehend suspects and
perform article, building and area searches.

"Jesse is the newest member of our security force," County Board Chairman
Mark Kern said. "It's just another way we can make the best use of our
resources."

The department purchased Jesse for $14,000 from the Alpha Canine Training
Center in Jackson, Miss. Sheriff Mearl Justus said the total expenses for
Jesse, including her training, kennel, maintenance and a specially equipped
patrol car, was about $50,000.

Cantwell said Jesse plays an important role in airport security by randomly
checking cargo for any suspicious items or substances, reducing the risk of
dangerous items coming in and out of the airport.

In doing so, he said she helps the airport meet Transportation Security
Administration requirements more efficiently, and helps alleviate any
concerns the U.S. Customs and Border Protection may have about what passes
through the airport.

"We keep Jesse very active," Kern said. "It's not only to help with
operations at MidAmerica, but throughout the county."

Sheriff Mearl Justus said the county often had to rely on the Springfield
Sheriff's Department to supply a bomb-detecting dog. MidAmerica director Tim
Cantwell said, on average, that could take at least 90 minutes.

"The real issue is the response time," Cantwell said. "This gives us instant
response time."

Said Justus: "I think this fills a big void in this county."

He added that, although Scott Air Force Base has them, no other police
department in the area has a bomb-detecting dog.

Deputy Justin Biggs, Jesse's host and handler, said Jesse already has made
an impact in her short time on the force.

"I think the guys that I work with have already seen the way people react,"
Biggs said.

He said Jesse has helped him track and catch suspects on foot, and once
helped him clear out the majority of a crowd of more than 100 people.

"The canine unit itself, of course, won't make all the crime stop, but the
presence is definitely a factor."

"It should be extremely soothing for the rest of the community that (Jesse)
is on the force right now," Cantwell said. "In a nutshell, it's a huge
capability."

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