One city and two school districts in Texas received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to implement school safety measures around school grounds and in primary and secondary schools.
U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) announced that the COPS School Violence Prevention Funds were given to the Weslaco Police Department and the Cuero and Santa Rosa ISDs, Vela’s House website reported. A $330,450 award was given to Weslaco, Cuero ISD received $357,271, and Santa Rosa ISD has been awarded $83,359.
Law enforcement agencies and school districts receive funds for evidenced-based school safety programs and to improve security at schools. The funds can be used to train local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence; to coordinate with law enforcement; purchase and installation of technology for quicker notification of law enforcement during an emergency; and other security improvement measures, the website reported.
“With the recent tragedies that have occurred on school campuses, it is more important than ever to ensure that our schools and law enforcement agencies have the resources and equipment needed to protect our children while they are in the classroom,” Vela said.
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