Congressman Stephen F. Lynch recently announced that the Brockton Police Department/School Police Division in partnership with the Brockton Public Schools received a Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant of $489, 947.  The federal grant, which was awarded through the Secure Our Schools (SOS) program, will assist Brockton in improving school safety and enhancing community policing efforts. 

“Ensuring that our children have a safe and stable environment in which to learn is essential,” Congressman Stephen F. Lynch said.  “This grant will give Brockton a real boost as they provide students with a quality education and the tools to succeed.  I congratulate Mayor Balzotti, Police Chief William Conlon and Michael Thomas, the Executive Director of Operations for the Brockton Public Schools, on securing this funding.”

Brockton was one of 93 law enforcement agencies and municipalities nationwide to receive the highly competitive COPS SOS funding.  Specifically, the grant will be used to help fund security equipment, technology and violence prevention resources including new interior and exterior locks, lighting and security cameras, security training for School Police Officers and anti-bullying and violence prevention curriculum.  The funding represents half of the total cost for the planned security equipment, technology, and violence prevention resources.  In addition, the Brockton School Police Department will partner with school administrators, teachers, students and parents to identify ways to prevent school violence and foster safe learning environments.  The program will target Brockton High School, eight middle schools and three alternative schools in the Brockton public school district.  A new panel, the Brockton Safe Schools Advisory Team, will meet periodically to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the school safety measures. 

“The most vital role of our public schools is to prepare our young people for the future.  Achieving that goal is not possible without first creating a safe environment that is welcoming to students and their families,” said Mayor Linda M. Balzotti. “This funding will help provide technology and other resources to help bolster ongoing safety initiatives in our school buildings.”

“The Brockton Police Department is very happy to have partnered with the Brockton Public Schools in successfully obtaining these very significant federal grant funds.   This award will enable us to considerably upgrade the safety and security of our city’s schools.  In today’s challenging economic times, these funds give us the opportunity to do now what otherwise might have been greatly difficult to accomplish,” Police Chief William Conlon said.     

“The safety and security of students and staff is always our first priority.  The COPS grant will fund the purchase of the latest security technology like LobbyGuard, remote security cameras and lighting for schools across the city,” said Michael P. Thomas, Executive Director of Operations for the Brockton Public Schools.  “Students and staff should feel safe and secure in their schools, so that they can focus on the most important thing – learning and teaching.  This grant will help us to strengthen our schools and make them safe and supportive learning environments.”