Merski: More than $586,000 in grants to benefit community, school safety
Rep. Robert Merski February 26, 2020
ERIE, Feb. 26 – Three state grants totaling $586,009 will address community violence and bolster school safety in Erie, state Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, announced today.
Merski said the grants – administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency – will fund the Community Violence Reduction Project, as well as equipment- and personnel-based resources for Erie County Technical School and Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School.
“As a parent and former teacher, nothing is more important to me than the security of our kids,” Merski said. “Obtaining this funding will allow our schools to implement equipment-based measures such as new lighting, locks, security cameras and staff to help keep buildings and grounds brighter, safer and more secure.
“Equally important, the funding will work to reduce community violence so residents of all ages have a safe place to call home.”
Merski said the funding under the School Safety and Security Grant Program includes the following:
- $300,000 to the City of Erie Community Violence Reduction project.
- $262,239 to Erie County Technical School for concrete traffic barriers, lockdown kits, a vestibule, a security resource officer and emergency kits.
- $23,770 to Erie Rise Leadership Academy for lighting, security cameras and biometric locks.
The School Safety and Security Grant Program is administered by PCCD’s School Safety and Security Committee, which is tasked with developing the criteria that schools must use in performing safety and security assessments.