Each year, the federal government offers grant funds to help enhance security in schools and on school grounds. In 2019, many educational institutions received funding for these updates, including:
- 598 applications received from jurisdictions in 49 states
- 103 awards made to states, counties, cities, school districts, and tribes totaling $32,499,998
- 45 percent of awards went to rural jurisdictions, 22 percent to suburban jurisdictions, 32 percent to urban jurisdictions, and 1 percent to states
- More than 6,000 schools and nearly four million students will benefit from the funded projects
The COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) Response Center will announce the winning grants of the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) in October 2020. This special program provides up to $50,000,000 in funding to be used to improve campus security. SVPP program was developed to assist with the purchase and development of school safety resources based upon a comprehensive approach to preventing school violence.
These resources can provide up to 75% funding to improve security resources at the school and on school grounds for the following:
- Entry control equipment, including door locking mechanisms and access control doors
- Communication technology, such as emergency call boxes, intercom systems, and panic alarm systems
- Video surveillance technology and accompanying equipment
- Any other measures that provide significant security improvements and meets COPS comprehensive approach to preventing school violence
The federal application window has been extended from April 8, 2020 to April 29, 2020 for the SVPP.
Click here to view the official COPS-SVPP website.
