NEW YORK (AP) — A $400 million increase in federal funding is available for security in places of worship, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Sunday.
The boost in money comes as concerns rise over threats against Jewish and Muslim communities, fueled in part by the Israel-Hamas 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 Program, 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 program allocated $305 million last year to nonprofits to help protect their facilities from potential attacks.
Three New York City synagogues and the Brooklyn Museum received bomb threats through email on Saturday, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department said. The threats prompted two synagogues to evacuate, though no explosives were found.
Houses of worship will need to apply by May 21 to tap into the first round of funds.
The most affordable beach towns revealed
Rapper Lil Meech takes his mom and grandma to a STRIP CLUB to get lap dances for Mother's Day
Gypsy Rose Blanchard says she 'thinks the best of her mom' on Mother's Day
100 Muslims arrested for attacking 2 Christian men on allegations of desecrating Quran in Pakistan
Rapper Lil Meech takes his mom and grandma to a STRIP CLUB to get lap dances for Mother's Day
Scientists discover ancient HERPES in 50,000
Bayern gives contracts to trio of promising teenagers
China's industrial profits up 4.3 pct in January
Bayern gives contracts to trio of promising teenagers
Poland's president seeks release of Polish traveler sentenced to life in Congo
Oakland Ballers make request to purchase old Coliseum bleacher seats used by NFL's Raiders