US$400 million boost in federal funds for security at US places of worship
- Funding boost comes as concerns rise over threats against Jewish and Muslim communities
- At least three synagogues and a museum in New York received bomb threats on Saturday
A US$400 million increase in federal funding is available for security in places of worship, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Sunday.
The boost in money comes as concerns rise over threats against Jewish and Muslim communities, fuelled in part by the Israel-Gaza war.
Places like synagogues and mosques could apply to use the money to hire security personnel or install cameras under the new increase in funding to the existing federal Nonprofit Security Grant Programme, Schumer, a Democrat, said from New York City.
“We’re going to keep funding so that no synagogue or other religious institution is going to have to live in the fear that they now live with,” Schumer said.
The programme allocated US$305 million last year to non-profit to help protect their facilities from potential attacks.
Houses of worship will need to apply by May 21 to tap into the first round of funds.