Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) announced that the Town of Oxford will receive a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services. The grant will create a Security Operations Center with three personnel monitoring the four campuses during schools hours. Additionally, the grant will also allow for a mass notification system that will allow schools to lockdown in seconds.
“After the heartbreaking mass shootings in Newtown, Parkland, Santa Fe and others, we must take additional security measures to keep our children safe,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “These new security protocols will keep intruders from entering any of the four Oxford schools. Additional resources for monitoring school campuses will also prevent bullying or illegal activities from taking place on campus. I’m glad federal dollars are going towards keep Oxford students safe.”
"I thank the Oxford Board of Education, Board of Finance, Board of Selectman, and of course Congressman Himes for prompt action to address this security upgrade to protect our school children. We will all continue to be vigilant to ensure and enhance school safety," said Selectman George Temple.
According to the Town of Oxford, these funds will be used for their school security project, which will include the implementation of a mass notification system as well as the development of a Security Operations Center. These enhancements, which complement additional ongoing security measures, will improve system-wide communication and monitoring capabilities within the Oxford school system. Students, parents, faculty, community leaders, and first responders will benefit from real-time information in emergency situations.
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