WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has announced $14.8 million in grants to 174 local law enforcement agencies to enhance school safety in 38 states. The grants were awarded under COPS Secure Our Schools program, which supports local efforts to improve security in schools and on school grounds.

The Secure Our Schools program will provide up to 50 percent of the total cost for communities to install metal detectors, locks, lighting and other equipment to help deter and prevent crime and disorder. The grants can also be used to pay half of the cost of security assessments, security training, and any other measure that will provide a significant improvement in security.

Secure Our Schools is one of several COPS initiatives that enhance school safety. COPS has awarded more than $740 million to law enforcement agencies to hire over 6,400 school resource officers. Additionally, COPS provides school safety training, and offers a school safety package that includes several resources that assist police, educators, and community organizations with preventing and responding to various school and youth safety issues. The school safety package can be obtained by contacting COPS Response Center at (800) 421-6770 or [email protected].

For additional information about COPS Secure Our Schools program, or to obtain a list of law enforcement agencies that received grants, visit COPS Web site at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

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