A bill that will benefit the Nutley and East Newark school districts by awarding grants to place high-tech security in schools was signed into law by Gov. Philip D. Murphy late last week.
The grants will pay for installing panic alarm systems required under “Allyssa’s Law,” the 2019 mandate requiring all primary and secondary schools in New Jersey to install “panic alarms” that can silently notify law enforcement of life-threatening or emergency situations.
Sen. Paul Sarlo sponsored the bill in the state Senate.
“This is an investment in the safety of school children and educators in schools across the state,” Sarlo said. “The panic alarms provide a level of silent security that we hope is never needed, but is always there. State funds will allow schools to install the system.”
The bond act included $75 million for the School Security Grant Program. More than $65 million in security grants were distributed in May.
Under this grant, Nutley will receive $228,171 and East Newark will get $20,000.
Nutley was the only local district in Essex County to get the grant and East Newark was the only district in all of Hudson to get an award.
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