SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. — Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have announced that the Rowan-Salisbury School System has been awarded a $125,000 Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grant. This grant will be used to expand the resource officer program in the school system, ensuring a safer environment for students and staff.

In a statement, Senator Budd expressed his excitement about the grant funding, saying, "I am thrilled to announce that Rowan County Schools was awarded this competitive grant funding. SROs play a critical role in fostering trust and safety in the county's schools, and I'm proud to have played a part in improving officers' relationships with the student body."

Senator Tillis also emphasized the importance of funding law enforcement and commended Rowan County for their efforts to keep schools safe. He stated, "Funding law enforcement is one of my key priorities, and I am proud of Rowan County for working to keep their schools safe by hiring a new SRO through the COPS Hiring program."

The addition of a new school resource officer will greatly enhance the school safety efforts in Rowan County, according to Rowan County Sheriff Travis Allen. He expressed his gratitude towards Senators Tillis and Budd for their support, stating, "We are prioritizing school safety in Rowan County, and adding this new SRO will greatly enhance these efforts. This DOJ funding is certainly a boon, and I appreciate Senators Tillis and Budd for their support. It is important that our students are safe in school. A new SRO will help relieve responsibilities of the primary SRO, thus furthering the development of positive relationships with the students which will, in turn, help to build trust."

With this grant, the Rowan-Salisbury School System will be able to strengthen its commitment to student safety and create a more secure learning environment. The presence of a dedicated resource officer will not only provide a sense of security but also foster positive relationships between law enforcement and students.

The funding secured by Senators Budd and Tillis demonstrates their dedication to supporting local communities and ensuring the well-being of students. The grant will contribute significantly to the efforts of Rowan County in maintaining a safe and conducive educational environment.