WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin announced today that the Baltimore County Police Department will receive $75,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). The grant was awarded through the COPS Secure Our Schools program, which provides funds to improve school security.

The program provides up to 50% of the total cost for municipalities to install metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other equipment to help deter crime. The grants also can be used to pay half the cost of security assessments, security training and other measures that will provide a significant improvement in security.

"Our children spend more time in schools than in any other place and it’s important that we provide communities with the resources they need to ensure that every school is safe," said Rep. Cardin, a member of the Homeland Security Committee.

                                                                           ##