U.S. DOJ Announces COPS School Security Grant Winners

Nearly $50 million in school safety funding was awarded through its School Violence Prevention Program.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has announced nearly $50 million in school safety funding through its School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). SVPP provides up to 75% funding for school safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools and school grounds.

The Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (STOP School Violence Act of 2018) gave the COPS Office authority to provide awards directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and public agencies (such as school districts and law enforcement agencies) to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through evidence-based school safety programs. The 160 awards can be used for coordination with law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence; metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency; and other measures that provide a significant improvement in security.

The districts that were awarded the largest amounts — $500,000 each — are:

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (CA)

Fullerton School District (CA)

Town of Oxford (CT)

Washington County School District (FL)

City of Americus (GA)

Mitchell County Board of Education (GA)

Illinois School District U-46 (IL)

Muncie Community Schools (IN)

MSD of Lawrence Township (IN)

Jefferson County Board of Education (KY)

Brockton Public Schools (MA)