SANTA ANA : Schools May Seek U.S. Funds to Hire 3 Police

In an unusual move, the Santa Ana Unified School District board tonight will consider whether to apply for a federal grant that would pay 75% of the salaries of three new police officers.

A U.S. Justice Department spokesperson said Monday that funds are available for community-oriented policing, which usually means working with social service organizations and business and community groups. Such a grant to a school would be “interesting,” Justice Department spokeswoman Leesa Brown said.

Assistant Supt. Gaylen Freeman said the district already employs four sworn officers who carry guns. Characterizing school officers as community-oriented might be a stretch, he said, but schools do double as community centers, especially on weekends.

“We’re trying to get some help,” Freeman said. “We’re just going to stretch it.”