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WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) today announced that more than $150,000 in U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services grants were awarded to the Township of Cedar Grove and the City of Passaic. The grants were awarded through COPS’ Secure Our Schools program.
“The federal government has, once again, demonstrated its commitment to helping communities needing assistance,” said Pascrell, a former teacher and a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I’m very pleased that students attending school in these communities will be that much safer thanks to the collaborative efforts of municipal and federal officials.”
Cedar Grove Mayor Joseph Chiusolo and Township Manager Tom Tucci said that the $116,758 grant awarded to Cedar Grove – the second highest of the nine Secure Our Schools grants awarded in New Jersey – would be used to purchase safety equipment for Cedar Grove High School. Federal officials confirmed that the grant will be received by the Cedar Grove municipality, which will later distribute the funds to the school district.
Mayor Chiusolo said he was thankful to Congressman Pascrell for his efforts.
“I know that he has been on the forefront in making sure the communities in his district are well represented by him and his staff,” said Mayor Chiusolo. “This grant is going to be a great asset to our school system allowing us to provide the safety needed by the students.”
“I’m ecstatic that we’re getting the grant. It’s going to help protect the kids at the high school,” said Township Manager Tucci, who worked with Cedar Grove Police Chief Jeffrey Rowe on the grant application. “I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Congressman Pascrell. He has been terrific to us and we look forward to that continued relationship.”
Cedar Grove Schools Superintendent Gene Polles said that the grant money will help the Board of Education continue its cooperative relationship with the municipal government, which has already provided two school resource officers at the high school.
The grant dollars will be used to purchase an alarm system to protect the school building and surveillance cameras to provide better security in the school’s parking lots, according to Cedar Grove officials.
A second 8th District Secure Our Schools grant of $38,500 was awarded to the City of Passaic to upgrade surveillance cameras at Passaic High School.
Under the COPS Secure Our Schools program, funding may be requested for such things as: placement and use of metal detectors; locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; security assessments; security training of personnel and students; coordination with local law enforcement; and any other measure that may provide a significant increase in security.
The Secure Our Schools grants to New Jersey announced today are:
Cedar Grove $116,758
Deal $25,000
Fair Lawn $5,075
North Brunswick $82,900
Oceanport $72,954
Passaic $38,500
Ridgefield $98,000
Scotch Plains $52,030
Union Township $132,647
Total $623,864
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