7th District Lawmaker Praises Scotch Plains Law Enforcement, School District for Safety Efforts

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – Today, Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) announced that the Scotch Plains Police Department will receive a $39,500 federal community orientated policing grant for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District.  
 
Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool, Police Chief Brian T. Mahoney and Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Principal David Heisey joined Lance in making the announcement.
 
The funds, administered from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Secure Our School’s program, are designed to help local law enforcement and schools with enhanced school safety resources and equipment.  

In Scotch Plains, the funds would be used to help underwrite phase two of security upgrades being made throughout the school district, including installing a digital video surveillance system, an electronic visitor login system and new laptop computers.
 
“We need to do everything we can to make our children safe at schools,” said Lance at a news conference at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School with community leaders. “These important funds will give Scotch Plains-Fanwood education and law enforcement professionals extra resources to ensure our kids are safe. I commend the entire Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district, and community and law enforcement officials for being proactive and requesting these funds.”
 
“We're excited to receive this important grant,” said Scotch Plains Police Chief  Brian T. Mahoney. “This federal grant will help us enhance our efforts to protect our children and school property on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis.”  
 
“The $39,500 will go far in helping to keep our schools safe for both student and faculty,” said Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool. “The grant is well appreciated and I would like to thank Representative Lance for all his efforts on behalf Scotch Plains.”
 
According to the Secure Our Schools program, grants can be used to provide law enforcement agencies and schools with security enhanced equipment.  For example, communities can use grant funds to purchase metal detectors, locks, lighting, fencing, closed-circuit surveillance systems and other security related equipment.
 
 

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