Washington, DC (September 8, 2006) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) announced that the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS) has awarded the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District Police with a $106,392 school safety resource grant to assist the agency with school safety measures. 

“Providing a safe and secure environment for our children to learn is so important if they are to get the most out of their education,” said Hinojosa.  “The COPS Secure Our Schools program provides school districts with the funds they need to keep our schools and children safe.”

The grants were awarded through COPS' Secure Our Schools program, intended to support efforts to improve security at schools.

The grants will provide up to 50 percent of the total cost for municipalities to install metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other equipment that can help deter crime.  The grants can also be used to cover 50 percent of the cost of security assessments and training.