SIA Applauds Funding of School Safety Grants Program in Omnibus Bill
On March 23 President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, which, among other provisions, would reauthorize and restore funding for school safety grants administered by the U.S. Department of Justice — a major policy priority for the Security Industry Association (SIA) since 2008.
The new law provides $25 million immediately for school security technology and equipment in addition to emergency communications systems and other coordination with law enforcement to enhance response capabilities. Administered through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), $33 million is authorized annually for the program beginning next year. Overall, the STOP School Violence Act included in the spending measure authorizes a total of nearly $1 billion in funding for DOJ school safety grant programs through 2028.