Lakeland Community College receives Campus Safety Grant

Chad Felton, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

Nov. 30—Lakeland Community College has been selected as one of 33 colleges and universities across the state to be awarded a Campus Safety Grant — totaling $5 million — from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, officials recently announced.

Lakeland will receive $79,300 for security projects to enhance the safety of students and staff on campus.

The grant awards are part of the 2022 Campus Safety Grant Program, which was funded with support from the Ohio Legislature in Senate Bill 310 of the 133rd General Assembly.

The Ohio School Safety Center, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, created in 2019, reviewed the campus safety grant applications in consultation with the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

"The importance of campus safety cannot be overstated, and Ohio is committed to supporting efforts that keep our colleges and universities safe," Gov. Mike DeWine stated in a news release.

Additionally, funds will be used to cover expenses associated with physical security improvements, such as security cameras, door locks, alarms, public address systems and metal detectors.

State Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord Township, said ensuring that students are in a safe environment helps them stay focused on the task of education.

"As a member of the House Finance Committee, I am humbled to be able to continue to support grants like this that bring our hard-earned tax dollars back to Lake County," he added.

As part of the grant application, colleges and universities were required to conduct a security and vulnerability assessment to identify areas in need of safety enhancements.

Moreover, Lakeland will work with experienced security, law enforcement, or military personnel to identify potential areas to improve the overall physical security and safety of its buildings, officials noted.

"Funds from this grant will be used to upgrade existing security equipment and help to implement some new security technology on campus," said Lakeland Police Chief Steve Gagliardi.

"Our department works diligently to maintain a safe and secure campus," he added. "It is great to see the state prioritizing campus safety with grant programs like this."

Since its creation in 2021, a total of approximately $10 million in funding has been awarded through the Ohio School Safety Center's Campus Safety Grant Program.