Barr Announces Federal Grant to Improve

Security in Forsyth Schools

County to Receive $625,000 COPS Grant

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Rep. Bob Barr (GA-7) was pleased today to announce the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded Forsyth County a $625,000 federal grant to hire and train five police officers to work specifically in the county's schools.  Today's grant was awarded through the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services COPS in Schools Program, which funds the hiring of community policing officers to work in schools.

"There are few better uses of taxpayer money than improving the safety and security of our young people," Barr said today.  "From teaching substance abuse classes, to monitoring troubled students, to building respect between law enforcement and young people, law enforcement personnel assigned directly to schools can and will make a difference.  I am proud Forsyth County will be receiving these important federal funds, and look forward to seeing firsthand the positive benefits from today's grant."

Today's grant provides up to $125,000 to pay for the salary and benefits of each new officer over a three-year period.  COPS also provides school safety training for the officer and an administrator from the school where the officer will be assigned.

These officers are known as School Resource Officers, and are sworn law enforcement officers who are permanently assigned to a school or school system.  While the specific activities of the officer are determined by the unique needs of the school and the community they serve, their primary role is to safeguard students by providing a law enforcement presence on campus.  Many of these officers also teach crime prevention and substance abuse classes, serve as coaches, and counsel troubled students. 

Including today's grant, the COPS in Schools Program has provided over $562 million, supported by Congress, to fund and train more than 4,987 School Resource Officers nationwide.

Barr represents Georgia's Seventh District.  He serves on the House Financial Services, Judiciary, and Government Reform Committees.