STAFFORD ? The township police department has received a $53,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for improvements to school security.

In total, 17 New Jersey communities will share $1,265,948 in funding from the Secure Our Schools program.

Chief of Police Thomas Conroy said the money will be used to create a radio channel for schools and hospitals to exclusively use.

"Right now we have two channels, but this would create a third one that schools and the hospital would be able to use to talk to police in real time," Conroy said. "If there is an incident at the school, a member of the administration could then contact us on the radio and the same for the hospital."

This funding is part of the COPS Secure Our Schools Program, which provides schools with funds for security items such as metal detectors, locks and lighting. Funding can also be used for security training for students and teachers and coordination between schools and local law enforcement.

"Parents, students and teachers shouldn't have to worry about school safety," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ. "Schools need the resources to ensure safety throughout the day, and these funds give parents should teachers' peace of mind and give our young people a chance to build their future."