TCAPS Receives Michigan State Police Grant for School Safety

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) announced on Friday that it had received a 2018 Competitive School Safety Grant from the Michigan State Police (MSP). The MSP grant is worth $244,799 and will be put toward upgrading security at school buildings throughout the TCAPS district.
 
TCAPS plans to use the MSP funds for two primary projects. First, the district wants to implement a new visual warning system at all 17 TCAPS school building. The system would consist of exterior lights installed at each building, which could be used to signal lockdowns or emergencies to people outside. If a school were in lockdown, an exterior blue light would be switched on to warn visitors or students not to enter the building.
 
Second, TCAPS has earmarked some of the MSP money to upgrade its district radio system. By increasing the megahertz of the radio system, TCAPS will be able to communicate with local law enforcement more effectively in the case of an emergency.
 
TCAPS included plans for some security upgrades in its recent bond proposal, which local voters approvedin August. Most of those improvements will focus on main office renovations, to achieve line-of-site to school entrances. The MSP money will go toward upgrades that were not included in the bond.
 
“We are grateful to the Michigan State Police for considering and approving our grant application,” says Christine Thomas-Hill, associate superintendent of finance and operations for TCAPS. “The projects that will be completed with this grant will complement and enhance the security upgrades that were approved by voters in August.”