Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Queens) blasted Congress for slashing security grants for religious non-profit institutions at a time when Jewish organizations in particular are increasingly vulnerable to attack, and inflammatory rhetoric against Israel has reached a fever pitch.

The Non-Profit Security Grant Program, which provides security funding for institutions that are classified as “high risk” by the Department of Homeland Security, saw its funding cut from $19 million to $10 million as part of a $1 billion cut to the Department of Homeland Security in last year’s budget. This year, funding will only support approximately 150 institutions, as opposed to last year, when 270 institutions received grants. According to an article in The Forward, 74% of the grant money went to protecting Jewish institutions.

“Jewish communities and institutions in New York live under a constant threat of terrorist attack – a threat that now looms even larger due to Congress’ irresponsible decision to slash funding for the Non-Profit Security Grant Program,” Assemblyman Lancman said.

Assemblyman Lancman has made protecting non-profit organizations from terrorist attack a signature priority of his in the Assembly. Assemblyman Lancman’s “Non-Profit Homeland Security Preparedness Act” commissioned the New York State Office of Homeland Security to study and report on the security needs of non-profit institutions facing an increased threat of terrorist attacks. Assemblyman Lancman also was instrumental in secured grants for three synagogues in his Queens district: the Young Israel of Hillcrest, the Israel Center for Conservative Judaism, and Kehilat Sephardim of Kew Gardens Hills. Assemblyman Lancman also authored the “Freedom to Report Terrorism Act,” which insulates citizens who report reasonably suspicious behavior to the police from harassing lawsuits, and recently introduced a bill that would increase penalties on those convicted of vandalizing or stealing from a house of worship.

(YWN Desk – NYC)