In the wake of domestic terrorism acts in the U.S. and international terrorist acts abroad, U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced last week that $178 million in anti-terrorism funds was secured for the city’s NYPD, regional law enforcement and non-profits.
Some of the non-profits to receive funding in Queens include the Young Israel of Far Rockaway, Young Israel of Forest Hills and the Chabad of Queens College in Flushing.
All three non-profits foster youths and young adults of the Jewish faith who attend public schools, according to their websites.
“With both ISIS-inspired attacks and horrific hate crimes targeting places of worship becoming more frequent across the globe, we must do all we can to help protect top terror targets like New York City and help people of all faiths worship in safety and security,” said Schumer.
The federal funding for the 116 non-profits comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative, which includes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program and administered from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“Federal security funds, like UASI, are the cornerstone of effective preparedness and prevention against terror threats and enable local law enforcement, like the NYPD, to do all they can to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Schumer. “I have been a strong supporter of counter-terrorism funds for New York City and I will do everything in my power to continue fighting for these funds to make sure that New York and all houses of worship are protected.”
Synagogues, churches, mosques, and other faith-based community centers are just a few examples of nonprofit organizations that could apply for these funds to address the unique needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas by helping to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism, according to Schumer’s office.
While both senators continue to fight for funding to steel the Big Apple from terrorist acts, Gillibrand, a 2020 presidential candidate, helped to lead a bipartisan coalition of senators by calling on the Senate Appropriators to increase funding of the NSGP for next year from $60 million to $75 million, which is the highest level of support non-profits at have received.
“No one should ever have to live in fear of being the target of a terror attack, and it is a tragedy that New York and places across the country still face the threat of terrorism and hate crimes,” said Gillibrand. “These anti-terror funds will help our law enforcement protect and save lives, and it will also provide nonprofits and places of worship that are at risk of being targeted with the resources they need to enhance their security and help prevent attacks.”
Schumer and Gillibrand also announced $76,930,000 in State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funding for New York, which helps implement anti-terrorism strategies outside of urban areas, according to Schumer’s office.
“I’m proud to fight for the funding for this critical program every year in the Senate, and I will always do everything I can to help keep New Yorkers safe,” said Gillibrand.
