Community-based nonprofits will receive total of $70 million to bolster security

STATEWIDE — A RECORD $70 million will be distributed to 290 nonprofit community organizations whose beliefs, ideology or mission make them especially vulnerable to hate crimes, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday, four days before the start of the Jewish High Holy Days. Hochul also directed New York State Police to increase their presence and coordination with local law enforcement around sensitive sites during these holidays, which begin at sundown this Friday, Sept. 11, through Yom Kippur, which concludes at sundown on Monday, Sept. 21. The State Division of Criminal Justice Services administers the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program, which will enable recipient organizations, including houses of worship, to strengthen their physical facilities and cyber security and increase staff and members' safety. Organizations within New York City will receive a collective 147 grants totaling $35,792,289. The agency does not disclose the awardees' names in order to prevent security risks. This newest round of grant funding comes amid an increase in hate crimes. The NYPD reported a 16% increase in reported hate crimes through Aug. 30, compared to the same time last year. Anti-Jewish crimes in the five boroughs increased 8% during the same period, accounting for 53.9% of the confirmed hate crimes. ✰✰✰