For Immediate Release
Contact: Jill Gray, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, 207-779-2555
Sheriff’s Office brought stakeholders together to address the need for improved school safety
Farmington, ME — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that it has received a federal grant in the amount of $347,495 to improve security at schools and on school grounds through the implementation of evidence-based school safety programs and technology.
The project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and School Violence Prevention Program.
These funds will be used for improving information sharing with local law enforcement and school officials; training for law enforcement officers and school staff to prevent school violence against others and self; increasing knowledge of and use of community policing principles; improving infrastructure such as lighting and other deterrent measures; and enhancing technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency.
“With the new school year underway, the safety of our students remains paramount. This would not have been possible without the help of our local law enforcement partners, local school districts, and the Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County (HCC), which will be providing grant management services on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Scott Nichols.
The grant was applied for in collaboration with Jay, Farmington, Rangeley, Wilton, Carrabassett Valley police departments and RSU 73, RSU 9, RSU 58, Rangeley and Stratton schools.
“The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was proactive with bringing together the schools, law enforcement, public safety and community health to address the need for improved school safety efforts in our country,” said LeeAnna Lavoie, MPH, HCC director. “It’s exciting to see us working together in this way.”
For additional information please contact Lavoie at 207-779-2926 or email Leeanna.Lavoie@mainehealth.org
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About Franklin Community Health Network
Franklin Community Health Network is a nonprofit, integrated network of rural health care providers created by Franklin Memorial Hospital in 1991. Its affiliates include Franklin Memorial Hospital, Franklin Health, Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County, and NorthStar EMS. It is a part of the MaineHealth family of local health systems.