Marietta City Schools

News Release

Contact: Thomas Algarin, Director, Communication & Information
talgarin@marietta-city.k12.ga.us
770-422-3500 ext. 282

Release October 12, 2009

DISTRICT SAFE SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP WITH MARIETTA
POLICE DEPARTMENT YIELDS GRANT VALUED AT $499K
COPS' Secure Our Schools grant awarded to Marietta Police Department

Marietta, GA - The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) recently awarded a grant valued at $499,100 to the Marietta Police Department (MPD) and Marietta City Schools (MCS) to improve security in schools and on school grounds. The grant is among $16 million in grants recently awarded to 128 local law enforcement agencies and municipalities to enhance school safety in 38 states under the COPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) grant program.

“With this grant, we can install keyless entry and video surveillance systems at two of our schools, Marietta Sixth Grade Academy and Marietta Middle School,” said Preston Howard, MCS Assistant Superintendent, Operations and Policy Development. “In addition, we will be able to equip nine other schools with Visitor Management and Screening Systems.”

The Secure Our Schools program provides up to 50 percent of the total cost for law enforcement agencies and schools to install metal detectors, locks, lighting, fencing, closed-circuit surveillance systems and other equipment to help deter crime. The grants can also be used to pay half of the cost of security assessments, security training, and other measures that will provide a significant improvement in school security.

“The Marietta Police Department has a long-standing close relationship with Marietta City Schools. I am very pleased that our partnership helped to secure this grant. The funds will help to make our schools safer for everyone,” said MPD Chief Dan Flynn.

The City of Marietta created a task force, coordinated by the Marietta Redevelopment Corporation (MRC), to find and apply for federal grants that could benefit the community. “Our goal is to reach out to our partners and other non-profits and capitalize on these grant opportunities,” MRC executive director Reggie Taylor said. “We want to bring federal money back to Marietta taxpayers.”

Secure Our Schools is one of several COPS initiatives to enhance school safety. Through this program, COPS has provided communities with more than $82 million to make schools safer. Overall, COPS has invested more than $913 million in America's schools through our Safe Schools Initiative, COPS in Schools, School-Based Partnerships and Secure Our Schools programs. For more information about COPS, visit www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=35.

 

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