Rep. Pascrell Announces $4.26 Million in New Jersey Anti-Terrorism Nonprofit Security Grants
WASHINGTON – In continuing his fight to protect nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist attack, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) announced $4.26 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The program provides critical support for physical security enhancements to nonprofit organization at high risk of a terrorist attack. These capital improvements include upgraded security measures, such as installing cameras, physical barriers, or controlled entry systems.
"New Jersey non-profits received the second most funding of any state to acquire and install equipment that will help secure them against a potential attack," Rep. Pascrell said. “At a time when our communities are seeing an increased threat of a terrorist attack, this funding will go directly toward making nonprofit organizations in our community safer. No one should feel unsafe in a place of worship or a community center, which is why I am proud to have fought hard to increase the funding available for this program.”
The funding announced today includes $447,150 going to six locations in the 9th Congressional District:
• Ahavas Israel Passaic Park Jewish Community Center - $75,000
• Clifton Cheder Inc. - $72,150
• East Hill Synagogue - $75,000
• Kol Yeshurun - $75,000
• Passaic Hebrew Institute - $75,000
• The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey - $75,000
Last year, due to the bipartisan efforts led by Rep. Pascrell and Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), the Congressional omnibus bill increased funding to $20 million, the highest is has been since FY2007. The two congressmen led a letter signed by 39 of their bipartisan House colleagues urging the co-chairs of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security to fund the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
“Credible threats against non-profit institutions across the country continue to be a problem,” Pascrell wrote in the letter last year. “These incidents highlight the continuing need for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which was designed precisely so that at-risk nonprofit organizations that serve as community centers can acquire and install equipment to secure themselves against a potential terrorist attack. These capital improvements include upgraded security measures, such as installing cameras, physical barriers, or controlled entry systems. ”
At the time, President Mark S. Levenson and Executive Director Jacob Toporek, both of the N.J. State Association of Jewish Federations stated: “The NJ State Association of Jewish Federations gratefully acknowledges Rep. Pascrell’s leadership in urging Congress to increase funding for the NSGP. At a time when the vulnerability our community is great due to increased threats and the rise in anti-Semitic incidents, the congressman’s initiative is a ‘mitzvah,’ a good deed, on behalf of our security and so many other similarly concerned community institutions. The congressman has been there for us on so many issues over the years of his tenure in the House and at the State House and we are thankful.”
The Homeland Security awards and allocations for the preparedness grant programs include: Homeland Security Grant Program (including State Homeland Security Program, Urban Area Security Initiative, and Operation Stonegarden), Emergency Management Performance Grant Program, Nonprofit Security Grant Program, Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program, Intercity Passenger Rail Program - (Amtrak) Program, Port Security Grant Program, Transit Security Grant Program, and Intercity Bus Security Grant Program.