How Michigan is improving school security through safety grant program

GWINN, Mich. (WLUC) – An all-too-familiar scene in Texas might have you ever asking – what has Michigan completed to enhance college safety?

Since 2015, Michigan faculties and college districts have been awarded over $66 million in security grants, which Nancy Becker Bennett of the Michigan State Police Grants and Neighborhood Companies Division mentioned are useful.

“All of that cash has been used to make safety enhancements in faculties,” mentioned Becker Bennett. “It’s been all the things from doorways to door locks to entry controls. There’s been a ton of issues faculties have used.”

Earlier within the month, 150 faculties and college districts, together with 14 within the U.P., have been awarded $10,000,000 in grants from the state. It’s all a part of the Aggressive Faculty Security Grant Program. This cash got here six months after the lethal capturing in Oxford.

Gwinn Space Neighborhood Colleges is getting $150,000, which Superintendent Brandon Bruce plans to make use of to replace the hearth alarm and P.A. programs.

“If a state of affairs of this nature arises, we might be capable of notify and get doorways locked and get youngsters safe and put our security protocols in place,” Bruce mentioned.

Bruce anticipates the initiatives shall be completed earlier than the beginning of the following educational yr. Nonetheless, he additionally hopes to do extra preparations this summer season.

“I used to be involved with our chief of police. Additionally, now we have a college board member that may be a police officer,” mentioned Bruce. “We’re taking a look at what sort of coaching or what are some issues we will make the most of.”

There’s additionally the OK2SAY Tip Line, which Becker Bennett says has helped immensely with stopping suicides and different disaster conditions.

“1000’s of suggestions are coming in for every of these, and we’ve had tons of tons of success tales the place now we have prevented issues from taking place,” Becker Bennett mentioned.

To submit a confidential tip, the quantity to name is 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729). You too can ship a textual content to OK2SAY at 652729 or electronic mail at OK2SAY@mi.gov.

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