MT. VERNON, IL — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has been selected to receive a grant for safety enhancements in area classrooms. The over $830,000 in federal grants was announced by Congressman Mike Bost on Monday to strengthen security at schools at over 160 jurisdictions nationwide.

Those selected will receive the grants through a Department of Justice School Violence Prevention Program initiative that Congressman Bost introduced and had signed into law in 2018.

Both the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department will get $499,829 and Sesser-Valier Community Unit School District #196 received $90,285 to use their grants to make safety enhancements in the classroom. East St. Louis School District #189 will use their $239,892 grant for metal detectors and locks, as well as staff training and communications planning.