Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry and Congressman Stephen F. Lynch announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has awarded the East Bridgewater Police Department $214,850 through the “Secure our Schools” Program.

With the COPS grant, the Town of East Bridgewater will upgrade the security systems in their three public schools to ensure a safer environment for East Bridgewater students.  The East Bridgewater Police Department will use the federal funding to purchase an integrated security management system for each school which can be monitored both on-site and at the police station.  These new security systems are expected to dramatically reduce the number of disruptive incidents like vandalism at East Bridgewater’s schools.

East Bridgewater was one of only 12 towns in Massachusetts to receive a “Secure our Schools” grant.

This summer, the Town of East Bridgewater contacted Congressman Lynch and asked him to support their grant application.   Congressman Lynch then reached out to the Director of the COPS Program at the U.S. Department of Justice and advocated on behalf of East Bridgewater’s application.

Congressman Lynch said, “Among the most important things we can do for our children is to care for them, protect them and give them every opportunity to learn and to succeed.  Ensuring that our children and their teachers have a safe and stable environment for learning is essential. I know that Police Chief John Cowan and the Board of Selectmen have made it a top priority in East Bridgewater.   These federal dollars are a contribution to their ongoing efforts.”

“A safe and secure learning environment is essential for the success of all our children,” said Senator Kennedy. “I’m pleased that East Bridgewater Police Department is receiving this critical funding to further their work in protecting children.”

“This funding is essential to helping keep our children and our schools safe, and will only enhance the terrific quality of the East Bridgewater school system and community,” said Senator Kerry. “Massachusetts is stronger and safer because of the DOJ’s, the local police force’s, and local officials’ investment and commitment to the children of East Bridgewater.”

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