Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, announced today that the Denver and Aurora Police Departments will receive more than $350,000 to assist efforts to secure city schools.
The funding is part of $16 million in grants announced this week by the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) under the Secure Our Schools Program (SOS). Grants were awarded to 128 law enforcement agencies in 38 states. Denver will receive $150,000, and Aurora will receive $208,960.
“Our kids should benefit from a safe learning environment where teachers and students can focus on their education,” said Bennet. “This funding will boost local law enforcement efforts so that schools in Denver and Aurora remain safe places for our kids.”
SOS grants provide funding to state, local, or tribal governments to assist with the procurement of school safety resources and the opportunity to establish and enhance a variety of school safety equipment and/or programs. Each SOS grant is two years in duration, and provides a maximum federal share of $500,000.
Funding under this program may be requested for such things as: placement and use of metal detectors; locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; security assessments; security training of personnel and students; coordination with local law enforcement; and any other measure that may provide a significant increase in security.