Nine K-9 units join Denver schools

Denver Public Schools has placed nine trained dogs on duty to screen for firearms and explosives at district events. The canines, supplied by the security firm Phantom K9, are now assigned to the district on a full-time basis. This marks the first year the dogs have worked DPS events continuously, after a pilot program began last year.

Jazz Stanze, President of Operations for Phantom K9, described the group as a mix of breeds including Labradors and German Torrey Pointers. The dogs are stationed at various points in venues to monitor crowds before, during, and after events. Stanze explained that the animals can pinpoint a firearm or contraband on a specific individual within a large, crowded space.

Stanze argued that the dogs' sense of smell offers an advantage over human guards or handheld scanning technology. He noted that a dog can detect a small amount of odor in a large area, a capability he described as a substantial difference from hand swipes or other devices.

Joseph Guerra, a patrol officer with the DPS Department of Climate and Safety, said the program serves two main purposes: detection and community trust. Guerra stated that the presence of canine units at athletic events helps with deterrence and petty crime. He emphasized that the goal is to provide security without creating fear or anxiety among families.

Guerra said the friendly nature of the dogs helps make the security presence less intimidating. He observed that people naturally want to acknowledge and interact with the animals, which helps build a collaborative atmosphere. The dogs are trained to locate hidden threats, such as small amounts of black powder concealed in training exercises, to keep them off school campuses.

Stanze noted that detecting threats indoors is more difficult than outdoors. He explained that exterior detection is instinctual for dogs, while interior work requires them to understand and navigate through objects. Guerra added that district protocols are constantly changing as threats evolve.

Guerra told Denver7 that the district aims to show the community it takes safety seriously. He described the effort as a teamwork initiative with the end goal of protecting staff, students, and stakeholders.