For Immediate Release
September 8, 2011

CONTACT: Corey Ray
(202) 514-5328

US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COPS OFFICE ANNOUNCES OVER $13 MILLION IN SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS
Grants to 93 agencies aimed at enhancing public safety in and around schools

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) today announced more than $13 million in grants to 93 local law enforcement agencies and municipalities to assist school safety projects in 32 states.

The grants announced today were awarded through the COPS Secure Our Schools program.  The Secure Our Schools program will provide up to 50 percent of the total cost for law enforcement and schools to install metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other equipment to help deter crime.  The grants can also be used to pay half of the cost of security assessments, security training, and other measures that will provide a significant improvement in school security.

"Protecting our children is a priority for all," said COPS Director Bernard Melekian."  We are pleased to support local efforts to create a safer environment for their students, parents, faculty and administrators."

Secure Our Schools is one of several COPS initiatives to enhance school safety.  Through this program, COPS has provided communities with more than $70 million to make schools safer.  Overall, COPS has invested more than $900 million in America's schools through our Safe Schools Initiative, COPS in Schools, School-Based Partnerships, and Secure Our Schools programs.

The COPS Office is a federal agency responsible for advancing community policing nationwide.  Since 1995, COPS has awarded over $13 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of approximately 120,000 officers and provide a variety of knowledge resource products including publications, training, technical assistance, conferences and webcasts.

For additional information about the COPS Secure Our Schools program, and to view a list of municipalities that received grants, visit the COPS website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

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