Pa. offers security grants to schools, area police

Pennsylvania state officials said Thursday that 13 area school districts and police departments and one charter school in Philadelphia were awarded grants for school resource officers and school police officers.

In all, Gov. Corbett and State Sen. Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) said, the state would distribute 81 grants to schools, towns, and police departments totaling $3.9 million to improve safety and security in schools.

Scarnati, the president pro tempore of the Senate, sponsored the legislation expanding the state's Safe Schools grant program.

Applicants could seek up to $60,000 for school resource officers, who have the same duties as school police officers but also work with students to prevent drug and alcohol abuse, and up to $40,000 for a school police officer.

Winners were chosen from among 114 entities that sought the funds. Priority was given to those that employ police officers who have received additional training to work with children and teens in schools.

In Bucks, grants were awarded to the Borough of Quakertown ($60,000); Lower Makefield Township Police Department ($55,384); and Morrisville Borough School District ($56,346).

Chester County: Octorara Area School District ($40,000); Great Valley School District ($40,000); Kennett Square Borough Police Department ($59,548); and Oxford Area School District ($40,000).

Delaware County: the Chester Upland ($60,000) and Southeast Delco ($57,050) School Districts.

Montgomery County's four recipients each received $60,000: Abington School District; East Norriton Township Police Department; Norristown Area School District; and West Norriton Township Police Department.

The Maritime Academy Charter School in Bridesburg, which was the only grant recipient in Philadelphia, was awarded $40,000.