About the Program
In
2000, as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Rothman created
the Secure Our Schools (SOS) program, which is a matching federal grant program
administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing (COPS), in the Department
of Justice. The first SOS grants were available in Fiscal Year 2002.
One
of the best aspects of the Secure Our Schools program is the flexibility it offers
by allowing each grant recipient—a law enforcement agency partnered with
a school district—to decide for itself whether to participate in the program.
Furthermore, law enforcement agencies and school districts design their own security
measures based on the unique needs of their students.
SOS
grants can help cover the cost of security measures such as metal detectors, locks,
lighting, and other deterrent measures; security assessments; training for students,
teachers, and administrators; coordination with local law enforcement; and other
actions that could significantly improve school safety. SOS addresses a variety
of existing and emerging problems relating to school security through responses
that range from traditional to innovative and rely on both new technology and
the experience of school administrators and law enforcement professionals.
Secure
Our Schools Funding History
| Fiscal
Year |
Amount
|
NJ Recipients
|
NJ
$ Total |
| 2002
|
$5
million |
6 |
$615,000 |
| 2003
|
$5
million |
9 |
$531,000 |
| 2004
|
$10
million |
18 |
$993,406 |
| 2005
|
$15
million |
26 |
$2,545,998 |
| 2006
|
$15
million |
20 |
$1,467,114 |
| 2007
|
$15
million |
7 |
$554,194 |
| TOTAL: |
$65
million |
86 |
$6,706,712 |
Since
2002, SOS grants have been awarded to a total of 756 law enforcement agencies
that have partnered with more than an estimated 2,400 schools nationwide to help
ensure our children's safety. In New Jersey, over 80 Secure Our Schools grants
have been awarded to our law enforcement agencies and school districts. Those
grants were worth over $6.5 million and helped secure more than 160 schools.
How
to Apply
Law
enforcement agencies, partnered with local school districts, must submit a grant
application and supporting materials to the COPS office within the Department
of Justice by mid to late June of each year. Congressman Rothman encourages all
New Jersey school districts interested in applying for SOS safety grants to partner
with their local law enforcement agencies and contact his office for more information
or assistance in applying at: 25 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601; phone: (201)
646-0808; fax: (201) 646-1944.
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