$400M federal funding aims to increase safety in New York houses of worship
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- New York Sen. Chuck Schumer announced new federal funding to increase security measures in houses of worship.
The announcement was made this Sunday on Holocaust Day of Remembrance and following several threats made against multiple synagogues in New York City.
Authorities said the threats were made via e-mail. On the other hand, Schumer stated these threats came from both overseas and within the United States. He also added that bomb threats in New York are the highest in the country.
This day to commemorate the approximately six million Jews murdered comes with heightened security. Congregation Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side was one of the synagogues that received a threat.
“To think there was a bomb threat so close to home is kind of terrifying,” said Sophie Silberberg. This place is very special to her. “I went here when I was a kid, and I’ve been taking my son to taught sabbath since he was born."
Authorities said the threats were determined to be not credible.
“But that doesn’t negativize the fear, the trauma when synagogues and houses of worship have to be evacuated,” said Schumer, who announced $400 million in new federal funding to protect houses of worship. “To help boost security in synagogues, churches, mosques and more. It allows to put in cameras, fences, strong windows, and two years we modified it so you can actually hire personnel."
FEMA will assist smaller houses of worship with grant writing. The money is already available to be distributed, and it comes when it is most needed.
“The number of these incidents has gotten up 10 times from what it was in 2020. Not 10%. Ten times,” said Schumer.
The FBI is working on tracking where these threats came from. Houses of worship must apply here by May 21.