HYDE-SMITH HIGHLIGHTS $2.77 MILLION IN DOJ GRANTS FOR SIX MISS. SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Statement

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today highlighted the award of more than $2.77 million in U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) grants for violence reduction initiatives in six Mississippi school districts.

The DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has approved School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) grants for the Jefferson Davis County, Forest Municipal, Coahoma County, Quitman County, Scott County, and Natchez-Adams school districts.

"The Justice Department provides these funds to support a variety of activities to protect students by improving security at schools and emergency preparedness. I'm pleased these predominantly rural Mississippi school districts will have new resources to address these issues," Hyde-Smith said.

SVPP funds totaling $2,775,839 for Mississippi include:

Jefferson Davis County School District -- $500,000
Forest Municipal School District -- $478,796
Coahoma County School District -- $468,375
Quitman County School District -- $445,337
Scott County School District -- $443,544
Natchez-Adams School District -- $439,787
Districts may use SVPP grants for, among other things, coordination with local law enforcement; security enhancements, emergency preparedness and technology upgrades, and/or other actions to improve security in schools and school grounds. The SPVV grants fund up to 75 percent of the cost for evidence-based school safety measures in and around primary and secondary schools.

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