$40,500 grant gives Pentwater school added layer of security.

April 1, 2019

$40,500 grant gives Pentwater school added layer of security.

#PentwaterPublicSchools

#MichiganStatePolice

PENTWATER – Pentwater Public Schools was recently awarded a $40,454 Michigan State Police (MSP) Competitive School Safety Grant.

“This grant will allow us to purchase new safety and security measures, and/or upgrade measures that are currently in place,” said Pentwater Public Schools Superintendent/Principal Dr. Scott Karaptian.

The funds will allow the school to purchase more cameras to be used in the pre-K through 12 school building and outside around the campus. Additional lockdown devices in the classrooms will also be purchased, Karaptian said.

“Students need to be safe to be able to learn,” said the superintendent who recently obtained his PhD. The topic of his dissertation for his doctorate degree was school safety. A 21-year veteran of the US National Guard, Karaptian strongly advocates school safety. “It’s a passion of mine.”

The school was victimized last fall when a 22-year-old man shot the school windows with a B-B gun. School was not in session and no one was hurt, but the crime caused over $3,000 in damages. Because the school is equipped with surveillance cameras, police were able to quickly track down the suspect.

“We’re working to make the school as safe as we possibly can,” he said.

The project is supported by the fiscal year 2019 Competitive School Safety grant Program; awarded by the State of Michigan; and administered by MSP.

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