Wilkes University in Pennsylvania has announced that it has been granted a Local Share Account (LSA) award to enhance public safety efforts on campus and in the surrounding community.
According to the university, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) manages the grant program, funded via the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA).
The university will use the $155,000 LSA grant to add speakers to its public address system, so that it can reach a broader audience in the event of an emergency.
The funds also cover additional security cameras to help the Wilkes University Police Department (WUPD) and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department monitor pedestrian and vehicular traffic on and off campus, the university says.
“The increased security made possible by this grant serves as an ideal example of the positive change that can result from a public-private partnership,” said Mike Wood, Special Assistant to the President at Wilkes, who works with legislators on projects and funding.
“The additional equipment will increase the level of safety for our students as well as our neighbors in Wilkes-Barre.”
“The WUPD is grateful to the legislators who have made this grant possible,” added Chief Michael Krzywicki, Chief of Police at Wilkes.
“The funding will allow us to enhance the safety of both the campus community and the community as a whole.
“As WUPD and the Wilkes-Barre Police Department continue to cooperate for the benefit of downtown Wilkes-Barre, the proceeds of this grant will provide greater capability to ensure the protection of students, employees, guests and neighbors.”