Schools will increase security equipment

The grant is from a U.S. Department of Justice program.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Early next year, township school buildings will be equipped with cameras and other devices aimed at bolstering security.
The police department and school district submitted a grant application last summer to the U.S. Department of Justice for the equipment.
Total project cost is $126,534, with the grant covering half the bill. The school district will pay the balance.
Under the grant's requirements, a police department must be the recipient of the funds.
Not because of troubles
Both Superintendent Frank Lazzeri and Police Chief Jeffrey Patterson said the grant is not in response to any problems at the schools.
While entrance to all district school buildings is restricted to one door during the day, only Center Middle School includes a person posted at a security desk inside the door to direct visitors, Lazzeri said.
The money will be used to buy cameras, door locks that must be opened with key cards, intercoms and video recording equipment.
Once school begins, access to the buildings will be limited to card users or those who must be buzzed in, the superintendent said.
Cameras will be installed at each school building, though only the high school will get a camera in its parking lot. A few cars parked in the lot were broken into last year.
Early 2006 target
Lazzeri said that the specifications must be prepared for the equipment and its installation after which the district will seek bids. He expects work to be completed in early 2006.
The grant is from the Secure Our Schools program of the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS.
The program awarded $14.7 million in school safety grants this year.
Howland also received $7,148 through the program to install cameras at school buildings while Canfield's grant was for $8,285.
More than $347,000 was awarded to Ohio communities through the program.