Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to spend an extra $25 million on security protections for churches, synagogues and mosques under a new proposal.
The proposal included in his 2020 $178 million state budget would allow all houses of worship to apply for the funding, especially if they deem themselves vulnerable to hate crime attacks.
“The vile acts of intolerance in our state and our country are repugnant to our values, and we must stand united in solidarity in condemning this rising tide of hate,” Cuomo said Thursday at New York’s “No Hate in Our State” security grants conference at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan.
“An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Government’s number one responsibility is to ensure public safety, and these aggressive new efforts will provide religious and cultural institutions the support they need to protect themselves and keep their communities safe.”
Cuomo highlighted the rise in anti-Semitic attacks — like the horrific Hanukkah party stabbing in Rockland County’s Monsey in December — as reason for the $25 million additional funding.
He said hate crimes have increased 35 percent, highlighting the latest FBI statistics collected between 2014 and 2018 that tracks related occurrences.
New York already provides $45 million in security grant funding to protect faith-based and cultural institutions, like private schools, nonprofit daycare centers, community centers, cultural museums and camps.
The deadline for applicants is Feb. 27, 2020 at 5 p.m., and forms can be found on the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website.
Groups that have more than one facility can submit a separate application for each eligible location with a $250,000 maximum cap per organization. The grants allow for security training, cameras, plus other efforts like door hardening and better lighting.
Organizations that operate more than one facility may submit an application for each eligible facility, up to five applications for a maximum total request of $250,000 allowed per organization.
Also included among Cuomo’s slew of budget proposals: a new domestic terrorism law and more finding for the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force.