WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. John Olver (D-First District) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in Schools grant to the Orange Police Department.   The department will receive $125,000 for salary and benefits for one full-time officer over a three year period.

Congressman Olver wrote a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno advocating for full funding of the Orange Police Department°s request.

œThe Orange Police Department has identified two key problems involving youth and schools in their community and are working hard to create safer environments for these children,” Olver remarked. œThis grant will go directly towards helping the Police Department meet the goal of long-term safety in their community.”

The town of Orange, like many regions across the country, must address issues of domestic violence and alcohol abuse. These social problems have shown to have a startling effect on youth in school. Children who witness aggression in the home are being taught that physical violence is the appropriate way to resolve conflict.  As a result, many police officers across the country have been asked to respond to unruly students, violent behavior, and threats against students and faculty.

Olver commented, œAs school violence has become a national issue, I believe that the town of Orange is taking the appropriate preventative steps to ensure that the town and its residents are living in a safe environment.”

The grant will allow one full-time officer to be assigned to the local or regional school system to assist with violence intervention and truancy issues. The officer will work closely with teachers, administrators, and human service agencies to build relationships with students.   Through this collaboration, the program is designed to address a variety of issues including teen dating violence, suicide prevention, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse.

Many police chiefs, sheriffs, and criminal justice experts have credited community policing efforts with the remarkable decrease in crime rates across the nation.   To date, the COPS Office has funded more than 1,300 officers under the COPS in School program.