Attorney General Yost awards grants to schools for streamlined threat response

10/2/2023

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently announced $4 million in grant funding available to local school districts to buy technology that links them directly to law enforcement in an effort to improve crisis response and crime prevention.

The grant program, which has been continued after a pilot effort last year, helps school districts purchase crisis-response technology that alerts law enforcement of potential safety breeches on school property.
Examples could include but are not limited to:

• Systems allowing immediate camera access to responding law enforcement.
• Silent panic alarms.
• Gunshot-detection technology.
• License plate reader alerts for vehicles belonging to registered sex offenders.
• Alert systems warning of wanted dangerous individuals.

Districts can apply for a maximum of $30,000 in grant money for use at one or multiple buildings. Schools that applied for the pilot program are encouraged to reapply.
Grant applications will be accepted from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, 2023, via the Ohio Grants Portal. Submission date will be a factor in the evaluation of grant applications. Grant award recipients will be notified in January 2024, with grant payments projected for early 2024.

Email OfficerSchoolSafetyGrants@ohioago.gov for any questions about this grant opportunity.