House Republican Press Release

January 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP SCRIBNER APPLAUDS FUNDING FOR BETHEL SCHOOL SECURITY

Hartford—State Rep. David Scribner today applauded the release of $6,428 in state funds for the purchase of school security items at Berry School and Anna H. Rockwell school in Bethel.  The two schools were among 360 schools in the state that received grant funds from a new state program.

Items that can be purchased with the funds include surveillance cameras, entry buzzers, panic alarms, scan card systems and portable screening devices are being purchased.  The state funds will reimburse schools for a portion of the costs and help reduce costs associated with the training of school personnel.

In applying for the grants, a school facilities security checklist was completed by Bethel school and public safety officials.  These checklists were then scored and an overall scoring list was utilized by the review committee comprised of staff from the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, state Department of Public Safety and State Department of Education to determine the most competitive grant proposals.

“The release of these funds is good news for Bethel,” said Rep. Scribner. “Sadly, providing security for our schoolchildren continues to be far more involved and costly than what was needed just a few years ago. It’s critical that the state help share some of these expenses.”

The Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is scheduled to announce the availability of funds for additional schools in spring 2008.