SFS assists Enid PD with bomb threat

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The 71st Security Forces Squadron lent a helping hand to the Enid Police Department March 9 during a bomb-threat investigation at a local school.
The threat was written on a mirror in a girls' bathroom at Waller Junior High School March 6, said Amber Graham Fitzgerald, Enid Public Schools community relations director. The message indicated a bomb would detonate at 12:30 p.m. March 9 at the school.
The Enid PD contacted the 71st SFS to request an explosives-detector dog and handler to assist in the bomb detection process.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Odell, a 71st SFS K-9 handler, and military-working dog, Cini, were on scene to help locate the potential bomb.
"I met with an Enid police officer and the school custodian to begin searching the school," said Sergeant Odell, a security forces kennel master. "After a thorough search, we found no evidence of explosives."
Although nothing was discovered, Sergeant Odell credited the 2-year-old German Shepherd, Cini, with performing all of the hard work.
"Cini was recently certified in locating explosives, and this was her first job," the sergeant said. "I'm proud of her. She did a phenomenal job of searching the area nonstop for an hour and a half."
The 71st SFS and the Enid PD have a long-standing memorandum of understanding to provide assistance when needed.
Currently, the 71st SFS K-9 trainers are providing drug detection and criminal-apprehension training for Enid PD's 2-year-old Belgium Malinois named "Arco." Additionally, Vance security forces helped monitor a high-speed chase situation off base recently.
The relationship between both agencies reflects the positive relationship Vance has with the city, said Maj. Robert Rossi, 71st SFS commander.
"We have a tremendous working relationship with the Enid Police Department and the Garfield County Sheriff's Department," the commander said. "Within the provisions of the current statutes, we provide assistance and training to local law enforcement."
Capt. Jim Nivison, Enid Police Department public affairs officer, echoed the commander's sentiments.
"We appreciate the continuous support we receive from Vance and the ability to work closely with them to the benefit of Air Force people and Enid citizens," the officer said. "We have always had a strong relationship with Vance, and we consider the base a valuable part of our community."