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Rep. Barry Moore, Alabama Congressman from the 2nd District, introduced the Securing American Classrooms Act of 2022 to the House of Representatives on Aug. 8.

“My bill puts unspent COVID funding to use creating jobs for retired veterans in law enforcement and helping secure our schools,” Moore said.

How much unspent funds? The answer is $1 billion to be exact.

According to his press release, this Act would ensure that at least one retired veteran would be hired as a school resource officer in each school, giving each school a well-trained security force and allowing the nation’s retired military personnel to be a valuable asset to their local communities.

“It costs $50,000 a year for one resource officer,” said Butler County School Superintendent Joseph Eiland. “Right now, the Mayor and the City Council are covering the cost, and we are grateful for that.”

Eiland added that it would cost $300,000 for every school in the county for one year.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” Eiland said of the Act. “With the help of Chris Sells, Malika Sanders-Fortier, and Terri Sewell, it could happen …

“All the eyes and all the pressure are on them this year. So if it’s ever going to happen, it will happen.”

Moore said plans by Democrats to defund the police and take guns away from law-abiding citizens seeking to protect themselves is counterproductive and dangerous.

“We can better protect our children by giving schools the resources to increase security measures and encourage strong partnerships between schools and law enforcement,” he said.

The Bill he introduced reads in part, “to make certain amounts available for grants under the COPS program.”

The Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS program, is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The program was established in 1994 as a provision in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, or the Clinton Crime Bill. It is the largest crime bill in American history.

The existing funds would be made available through the Attorney General. 

The Bill states, “The Attorney General shall use such funds to make grants under part Q of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.” The funds will be available until they are exhausted. 

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, the 1968 Act was designed to assist State and local governments in reducing the incidence of crime and to increase the effectiveness, fairness, and coordination of law enforcement and criminal justice systems at all levels of government.

Rep. Barry Moore can be reached by mail at 1504 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515. Contact by phone at (202) 225-2901 or https://barrymoore.house.gov.

The COPS headquarters is located at 145 N. Street NE, Washington, DC. Visit their website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.