Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel visited a local school district to see for herself the ways that school safety grant dollars were being spent.
On Friday, Nessel visited Pinckney Community Schools, which received $241,418 in 2019 for school safety improvements. The visit came two days after she stopped by Eaton Rapids Public Schools, which was awarded $442,773, also in 2019.
The grants were administered through Michigan State Police’s Grants and Community Services Division. Since 2015, over $55 million in competitive school safety grant funding has been awarded to 538 schools and school districts.
“I have appreciated the hospitality and insight gained from my meetings with the superintendents in Eaton Rapids and Pinckney this week,” Nessel said. “While districts, educators and staff work diligently to use whatever resources they can to provide a safer learning environment for students, I am focused on learning about these collective efforts to better inform my ongoing initiatives to best protect students.”
With more visits planned, Nessel said she will continue to push for “common sense legislation”
also aimed at bolstering school security.
In February, Nessel joined safety advocates and Democratic state legislators to urge action on secure firearm storage bills that were first introduced last year. She also voiced support for similar legislation sponsored by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) at the federal level.
In a press release, Nessel’s office said that anyone who receives a threat or knows of a threat of violence against their community, should contact local law enforcement.
Tips can also be left with the state’s OK2SAY hotline by calling 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729) or texting 652729 (OK2SAY). The hotline operates 24/7 and protects the confidentiality of the reporter’s identity.
OK2SAY, which is housed within the Michigan State Police, provides for confidential reports of potential self-harm, harm to others, or criminal acts including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, assault, or rape, directed at students, school employees, or schools in this state.
