Burns urges local districts to apply for funding to prevent school violence

HARRISBURG, May 27 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is urging local schools to consider applying for funding aimed at preventing school violence.

"While going door to door to talk with residents in our community, many families voiced concerns about public safety after a string of recent, high-profile crimes," Burns said. "Crime and violence are very real concerns and, given the recent school shooting in Texas and several violent events locally in schools, this funding could not be more timely. I urge area school districts to apply."

Addressing school violence and crime in general is something that Burns has consistently tackled as state representative. He has been a strong supporter of law enforcement and recently asked local officials to conder using federal COVID-19 funding to hire additional police officers to address safety concerns in the community. Additionally, Burns wrote legislation establishing an "anti-bullying Bill of Rights' for Pennsylvania students, which received national media attention. He has continuously fought for funding so that schools could hire resource officers and has always advocated for victims.                    

Administered by the federal Department of Justice, the STOP School Violence Program funding can be used for staff training, technology investments, or to hire support personnel such as school psychologists, social workers or intervention specialists.

More information about the program and instructions on how to apply are available online.