Excerpt from Yiddish article in Der Yid’s December 26, 2019 edition
The State will provide another
$25 million for this year’s budget to enhance security at non-public schools
and cultural centers, including religious-based institutions, to protect
against the threat of hate crimes
Brooklyn, NY – On Thursday of last week, Governor Cuomo
announced the distribution of more than $10 million awarded to make security
enhancements at non-public schools and cultural centers, including
religious-based institutions, to protect against the threat of hate crimes.
This is the second round of funding distributed through New York's Securing
Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program and will support 207 projects.
Projects will help strengthen security measures to prevent hate crimes or
attacks against facilities on the basis of their culture, religion or beliefs. "The
cancer of hate and division spreading across this country is repugnant to the
values of diversity and inclusion we hold dear in New York," Governor Cuomo said. "We
are continuing to do everything we can to stamp out threats and acts of
violence targeting religious and cultural institutions, and this new grant
funding will allow many of these organizations to enhance their security
measures and help keep people safe."
The grant, which is administered by the State Division of Homeland
Security and Emergency Services, will provide up to $50,000 in funding
for additional security training, cameras, door-hardening, improved
lighting, state-of-the-art technology and other related security upgrades at
each eligible facility. Organizations that operate more than one facility have
the opportunity to submit up to three applications for a total request of up to
$150,000. First-round awards were made in 2018.
At the same
time, the governor announced that the budget for funding this program to
protect communities against hate will more than double in the coming year to
provide $25 million for schools to be able to reinforce their security measures
in the upcoming years.
The announcement came after the horrifying Jersey
City terrorist attack and murders, and the rise of hate-filled anti-Semitic
attacks. The funding will better protect communities and yeshivas from hate and
terror attacks, including many Williamsburg yeshivas, G-d willing.
“We thank Governor Cuomo,” says Rabbi David
Niederman, UJO Executive Director and President, “for providing special funding
to protect yeshivas and other schools and institutions which will help keep our
children safe and in general for taking critical steps to combat hate crimes.”
NOTE:
Make sure to report every hate crime. As the Williamsburg community has suffered from a rise in hate crimes during the past 14 months, it has become increasingly important for anyone who has experienced an attack or even just a harassment to report the incident. This includes even more minor experiences, such as being badgered or having hate-filled epitaphs directed towards one’s person. If one is frightened in any way, the event should immediately be reported by calling 911 or the Shomrim hotline at (718) 237-0202. No one who has experienced hate should neglect making a report so that we can gain an increase in security and also possibly stop haters in their tracks before they become more dangerous.
Even if an incident seems minor, it is important to make the report. If it’s hard to make the report by yourself or it looks to you as if it’s not being taken seriously, please call Shomrim to stand with you while making the report. UJO continues to work hand in hand with the police and with Shomrim to make sure every crime is taken seriously. For assistance, you can also contact the UJO at (718) 643-9700.
