(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – In response to a significant rise in threats to school safety, Arizona has allocated $15 million to increase the number of armed resource officers in schools.
Arizona’s Department of Education has unlocked $15 million in carryover funds to bolster the number of armed officers on school campuses.
Superintendent Tom Horne announced that the funds will be available from January, as part of an urgent initiative within the School Safety Program.
According to Horne, the funds are necessary to counter the alarming rise in threats against schools.
Horne stated, “These numbers are distressing and show that we absolutely must do everything possible to protect students, educators, and staff on school campuses. This added funding is vital to accomplishing that goal.”
The Department of Education has requested a waiver to expedite the grant application process, aiming for schools to apply by October 21.
Awards will be granted in December, ensuring that officers can be deployed on campuses by the start of the new year.
Recent statistics highlight the urgency of this initiative.
From January 1 to September 3, 2024, the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center reported 177 threats to schools, including 88 related to shootings or weapons.
Another 130 threats were recorded from September 4 to September 24, 2024.
The investigations have led to nine arrests in just three weeks, with several threats still under investigation.
Horne’s plan is comprehensive, allowing the funds to also be used for school counselors and social workers, ensuring a multi-faceted approach to school safety.
Nonetheless, the immediate focus is on increasing the presence of armed officers.
“One of my biggest fears is that an armed maniac gets on a school campus and causes a devastating tragedy to happen,” said Horne, cited by The Center Square.
This measure comes in light of a national dialogue on school safety, with some advocating for greater restrictions on firearms while others, like Horne, push for increased security on campuses.
The urgency is underscored by the tragic tally of 29 school shootings with casualties reported in 2024 alone.
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