Joe Scarnati Protecting Our School Children
Friday, January 25, 2013
HARRISBURG - State Senator Joe Scarnati
will soon be introducing new legislation which would provide money for
Pennsylvania schools to increase school safety. Scarnati says the time has come for the
commonwealth to "step up" and take the lead in protecting our kids; “The
unimaginable tragedy which took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in
Newtown, Connecticut last month has generated a nationwide discussion on the
issue of school safety. It is apparent that the most important thing Government
can do in order to combat evil individuals, like the mass-murderer who took so
many innocent lives in Newtown, is to ensure the greatest level of security
possible is provided for our schools.”
Senator Joe Scarnati continues by
saying, “…approximately $500,000 a year is awarded in Safe Schools Targeted
Grants. My proposal would increase that amount to a total of $10 million per
year. Schools would be authorized to use the funding for a myriad of other
school safety purposes in addition to armed security, including: security
planning and purchase of security-related devices such as metal detectors,
surveillance equipment, electronic locks and deadbolts, risk assessment and
violence prevention curricula and plans, as well as conflict resolution and dispute
management programs.” According to senator Scarnati, the Safe Schools program
represents an important first step in addressing the issue of violence in our
schools and achieving the ultimate goal of keeping our children safe.
