The City of Missoula and Billings School District #2 were awarded money to train officers. | Canva
The City of Missoula and Billings School District #2 were awarded money to train officers. | Canva
The City of Missoula and Billings School District #2 has been awarded more than $150,000 via the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) within the Department of Justice (DOJ), Sen. Steve Daines said, according to his website.
“The funding will help support our local law enforcement and provide critical resources to ensure that our Montana schools are protected and students are kept safe,” Daines said, according to his website.
The City of Missoula will receive $43,679 and Billings School District #2 will receive $108,794.
The money will pay for training for local police to help reduce student violence. It will also go toward safety measures like metal detectors, locks and lighting, as well as other precautions.
The Department of Justice COPS Office is funding almost $50 million in total funding for schools.
“With the new school year underway, the safety of our nation’s students remains paramount,” said COPS Office Director Phil Keith, according to the DOJ press release. “Although this school year may look different at the start, now is the ideal time to make preparations to enhance school safety for when all of our children are back in the classroom.”