WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a grant in the amount of $193,217 to the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department out of the Community Oriented Policing Services “Secure Our Schools” program.

“These funds will really help ease the financial burden on Phelps County for the day-to-day operations and preparedness required to keep students safe,” Emerson said.  “I’m very proud that this funding will be put to good use in the Eighth Congressional District, where our standards for law enforcement and public safety are extremely high.  We certainly have the dedicated men and women in uniform in Phelps County to make sure our children are safe at school – this two-year grant will put some significant additional resources at their disposal.”

Grants were awarded to 128 law enforcement agencies nationwide during this most round of disbursements from the Secure Our Schools program.  Funding can be used for locks, lighting and other deterrent measures; security assessments; security training of personnel and students; and other measures that provide significant increases in school security.