Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that New York State will significantly increase security around shuls and Jewish communities across the state ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, while distributing a record $70 million in funding to help protect nonprofit and religious institutions vulnerable to hate crimes and attacks.
Hochul said she has directed the New York State Police and the state’s Hate Crimes Task Force to carry out a surge in law enforcement presence at religious sites from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur. State Police have already begun proactive outreach to religious leaders and are sharing intelligence with local law enforcement agencies, federal authorities and security organizations across New York.
The increased patrols will include a heightened State Police presence around shuls, Jewish neighborhoods and religious institutions, supplementing security provided by local law enforcement agencies. Hochul said the goal is to provide worshippers with greater peace of mind during the High Holidays amid continued concerns over antisemitic incidents.
The governor also announced that a record $70 million will be distributed to 290 nonprofit community-based organizations through New York’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program. The program, administered by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, provides funding to organizations considered vulnerable because of their ideology, beliefs or mission.
The grants can be used for a wide range of security improvements, including surveillance cameras, alarm and panic-button systems, barriers and fencing, improved locks, shatter-resistant glass, security training and cybersecurity upgrades. Organizations were eligible to seek grants of up to $250,000.
According to the governor’s office, more than $201 million has now been provided through the program for 2,035 security projects since Hochul took office five years ago. Hochul said the latest $70 million allocation is roughly triple the level of funding available when she first became governor.
Hochul also pointed to New York’s recently enacted buffer-zone protections around houses of worship, which make harassment within 50 feet of a shul or other house of worship a crime under specified circumstances. She said the measure is intended to protect people entering religious institutions from harassment or interference while exercising their right to worship.
“We shouldn’t have to do this,” Hochul said while discussing the need to fortify religious institutions against hate, adding that the state will remain vigilant as the High Holidays approach.
Rosh Hashanah begins Friday evening, September 11, with Yom Kippur beginning Sunday evening, September 20.
