WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $1,052,562 in grant funding to help bolster school security and provide training to students and faculty. The funds will also support law enforcement officers and first responders who arrive on the scene of a school violence incident. The grants were made available through DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services’ (COPS) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).

“We are pleased that Virginia schools have received these grants to help improve campus safety,” said the Senators. “These federal funds will help train students on how to respond in violent situations and provide additional resources for faculty and local law enforcement.”

Under today’s announcement, the following Virginia communities will receive funding:

• Bedford County: $91,124
• Chesterfield County: $500,000
• Hanover County: $75,188
• City of Virginia Beach: $386,250

These grants are authorized by the STOP School Violence Act, and are intended to improve school security by helping students and teachers reduce exposure to risks, prevent acts of violence, and quickly recognize and respond to violent attacks. The School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is a competitive award program designed to provide funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the jurisdiction of the grantee through evidence-based school safety programs. For more information on this program, click here. 

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