Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS) is proud to announce that it has been awarded $469,985 from the 2024 COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP). This significant funding is part of a larger initiative by the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which has granted a total of $17.6 million to support law enforcement and enhance public safety across North Carolina.
The COPS 2024 SVPP is partially funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a critical piece of legislation that Senator Thom Tillis helped negotiate, write, and pass into law. The program aims to bolster school safety measures, providing essential resources for violence prevention and response.
Senator Tillis expressed his support for the initiative, stating, “I’m proud to have supported more funding for law enforcement and partnered with local leaders across North Carolina to ensure law enforcement has the resources and tools to keep our communities safe. This funding will empower communities to recruit and hire law enforcement officers, improve school safety, and utilize new technology to create safer communities for North Carolinians.”
The grant awarded to ECPS will be used to implement comprehensive safety measures at schools across the district. These measures will include the enhancement of security infrastructure, the development of emergency preparedness plans, and the provision of training for both staff and students on safety protocols. The upgraded security solutions provided by the grant include:
Interior and Exterior Security Cameras
Shatterproof Window Film for School Entrances
Security Wands
The overarching goal of the Edgecombe Public Schools Safety Project is to keep students, faculty, staff, and visitors safe while on school grounds and to respond quickly to potentially threatening incidents.
Superintendent Dr. Andy Bryan commented on the importance of the grant, saying, "We are immensely grateful for the support from the COPS School Violence Prevention Program. This funding will enable us to take significant strides in enhancing the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Our top priority is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where every student can thrive, and this grant is a crucial step in achieving that goal."
A special thanks to grant writers Dr. Chanda Battle, ECPS Director of Student Support and Joseph Hayes, ECPS Director of Technology, whose dedicated efforts made this grant possible. ECPS was one of only three public school entities to receive funding.
Edgecombe County Public Schools remains committed to fostering a safe and supportive educational environment. The district will continue to work closely with local law enforcement and community partners to implement these vital safety initiatives.
Pictured - Edgecombe County Sheriff Clee Atkinson, ECPS Superintendent Dr. Andy Bryan, ECPS Director of Technology Joseph Hayes, ECPS Director of Student Support Services Dr. Chanda Battle, and Trey Lewis, Northeast Regional Representative for the Office of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis.