Maryland county to fund security for nonprofits at risk of hate crimes
| Published date | 30 September 2021 |
| Author | OMRI NAHMIAS |
| Publication title | Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel) |
The county is home to a large Jewish community, and according to the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC), there are over 50 Jewish institutions in the county. "These grants are available to augment costs for security personnel or other security planning measures for nonprofit organizations located in Montgomery County," the county announced.
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"Montgomery County is a community of diversity, inclusion and compassion – but we are not immune from hate and vitriol that could become criminal," County Executive Elrich said in a statement. "These grants will provide nonprofit organizations with additional resources to enhance the security of their facilities and the safety of our residents. This investment is an affirmation of Montgomery County's support for our neighbors of every religion, race, and ethnicity. We are committed to protecting the rights of all our everyone who lives or visits our county, and I encourage all applicable Montgomery County organizers to apply for these grants."
"The idea of securing local funding for security came from the JCRC," said Ron Halber, executive director of JCRC. He said that JCRC presented to the county executive the idea of providing security money to cover operating costs for nonprofits that are at risk for hate crime or terrorism.
"And the reason we emphasized operating costs was that there is already the National Security Grant Program, which is funded at $180 million, and Jewish synagogues, schools, or agencies have [been eligible for its funds] for almost two decades."
Federal grants are usually used for protective equipment such as security systems and cameras, Halber said, and that Maryland offers two state grant programs: one that Jewish institutions and other nonprofits can apply for, and a separate one for schools.
"So we were thinking strategically and we said, 'well, between the federal program and two state programs, what about the fact that the largest ongoing cost of security is personnel?" said Halber.
"Nothing can replace human instinct and having a pair of eyes watching out while others are either at an agency receiving services, congregants at prayer, kids at school or whatever it may be," Halber...
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