Bomb sniffing dogs deployed to Long Island ferry

A New York ferry company has become the first in the United States to receive federal grants to pay for the deployment of explosive detection canine teams.

The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company is teaming up with Long Island K-9 Service to use bomb sniffing dogs to detect any explosives aboard the ferries.

James Greco, the owner of Long Island K-9 Service, said the highly trained dogs will inspect every car that enters the ferry.

“We inspect all vehicles boarding the ferries and ferry customers’ articles if we feel the need,” he said.

The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson ferries connect Long Island, New York to southwestern Connecticut and each year roughly 400,000 vehicles and one million passengers use the service.

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the company has sought to bolster its safety and minimize any terrorist activity or narcotics smuggling aboard its boats.

The K-9 teams were initially deployed on 13 May and the contract will last for three years.

Long Island K-9 was formed fifteen years ago and was the first to specialize in highly trained K-9 teams.

“We have provided our explosive detection canine teams for Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, United States Federal Government Police, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Congressman and Homeland Security Committee Chairman, Peter King, the Republican Convention in New York City and many prominent celebrities,” Greco, a former law enforcement officer in Nassau County, said.

Greco’s company is based in Manorville, Long Island where it trains its dogs at a sophisticated 2.5 acre facility.