WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt today announced that the towns of Yarmouth and Hull have been awarded a total of $155,616 in federal assistance for local community policing efforts.

“I want to commend the hard work of police and school officials in Yarmouth and Hull for their commitment to a concerted, cooperative effort to enhance youth safety,” said Delahunt. “The key to the success of the COPS Program is the collaborative work of law enforcement, school districts and other community leaders working to reduce the levels of substance abuse and crime in our communities while fostering increased respect for police among students.”

The US Justice Department has awarded a $75,429 grant to the Yarmouth Police Department and $80,187 to the Hull Police Department.  Grants under the Secure Our Schools Program provide up to 50 percent of the total cost for municipalities to install metal detectors, locks, lighting and other equipment designed to deter crime. They may also be used to pay half of the costs of security assessments, training or other expenses that will provide a security improvement.

The national COPS-in-Schools program seeks to enhance school safety by applying concepts of community policing to primary and secondary schools. Over the past several years, the COPS program has also incorporated training in terrorism prevention, emergency response, and the critical role of schools in community preparedness and disaster response.

As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Mr. Delahunt has been an ardent supporter and cosponsor of legislation reauthorizing and providing funding for the national COPS program, and works closely with interested local police departments.