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Board approves sheriff’s request to apply for school violence-prevention grant with 25% match from fine revenue
Summary
The Board approved the sheriff’s office request to apply for a school violence prevention grant to buy secured gun vaults for SROs; the grant requires a 25% local match, to be funded from fine revenue if awarded.
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors approved the sheriff’s request to apply for a School Violence Prevention Grant and authorized using fine revenue to cover up to the 25% local match if the county is awarded the grant.
Sheriff’s request and equipment Sheriff Ayers (presenting) told the board the grant would purchase lockable, quick‑access gun vaults to be installed in school resource officer (SRO) offices. He said the plan calls for 10 vaults across the school system, with one larger unit for the high school. The sheriff said the total cost for the devices is roughly $33,075 and that the grant requires a 25% local match — about $8,300 — that he asked the board to allow the sheriff’s office to pay from fine revenue if the grant is awarded.
Security and access Board members asked how unauthorized access would be prevented. The sheriff said the vaults would not be biometric or remotely controlled; they operate by coded mechanical or combination access and would be secured within SRO offices. He said codes would be changed as needed and that only SROs would have access; school staff would not be given vault codes.
Board action Supervisor Adams moved to approve the sheriff’s request and allow the 25% match from fine revenue; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Ending note The board approved the application and the funding plan; the grant award and final purchase would follow if the county is selected.
