STATEHOUSE (Dec. 13, 2023) – New Castle Community School Corp. recently received over $358,000 in federal grant through the School Violence Prevention Program money to boost school safety efforts, according to State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown).
The grant awards are distributed through the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to schools, municipalities and law enforcement agencies annually to improve safety at local schools. Criswell said the funding can be used to train school resource officers and law enforcement personnel, and for security measures like metal detectors and locks, and other safety initiatives.
According to Criswell, New Castle Community School Corp. Head School Resource Officer Chase Koger and administrator Dr. Grant Fulton were instrumental in helping secure the funding for the school and lead the efforts to apply.
"By actively pursuing state and federal funding opportunities, New Castle school leaders, spearheaded by Officer Koger and Dr. Fulton, are demonstrating their drive to maintain school security for students, teachers and staff," Criswell said. "These dollars will go a long way in boosting efforts to provide a safe environment to learn and grow."
In total, the program awarded $73.6 million to 206 entities across the country, and New Castle Community School Corp. is 1 of 4 school corporations to receive a grant in Indiana. Lake Station Community Schools, Logansport Community School Corp. and Valparaiso Community School Corp. also received grants. School corporations can apply by visiting cops.usdoj.gov/svpp-award and applications will be accepted again in Spring 2024.
COPS, established in 1994 by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, is aimed at reducing violence and boosting safety through community policing and funding for local states, counties and political subdivisions. For more information about the COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program contact the COPS Office Response Center at AskCOPSRC@usdoj.gov or 800-421-6770, or visit the COPS Office website at cops.usdoj.gov.
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State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) represents House District 54,
which includes portions of Hancock, Henry, Rush and Shelby counties.
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