New York – Congressman Announces Renewed Security Funding for Local Institutions

New York – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks announced that the Urban Area Security Initiative-Non-Profit Security Grant Program (UASI-NSGP) will once again be funded at $19 million dollars for the 2011 fiscal year and that he will be supportive of every application submitted from within his district. The NSGP is dedicated to non-profits determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security to be at high risk of terrorist attack. This year, the federal appropriations process has been delayed and thus the turnaround period for grants will be shorter making it more difficult for institutions to apply. Last year almost $5 million in federal grants was awarded to seventy-one non-profit Jewish organizations including synagogues, schools, and community centers across the New York City area and Nassau County.

“As a New Yorker I was able to witness firsthand the hardships that my constituents, New Yorkers and those across this Nation endured during the 9/11 terrorist attacks,” said Meeks, “The City of New York has faced multiple threats and terror attempts since then from the attempted car bombing in Times Square last May to most recently the attempted terror plot on a synagogue in New York City last week. While our police department has done an extraordinary job in protecting our city, it is critical to continuously provide the necessary tools to keep bringing about the highest level of security to protect those in New York City. Religious institutions have repeatedly been under high scrutiny for possible targets of terror and it is important that we do our utmost to provide them the highest protection possible,” said Congressman Meeks.

The grants are meant to protect against threats similar to the Riverdale Jewish Center and Riverdale Synagogue bomb scares, in which four men plotted to detonate a bomb last year. The Riverdale Jewish Center and Riverdale Synagogue both received funding under this grant program. Just last week, the NYPD was able to once again thwart a plan to cause serious damage to a local Synagogue illustrating the importance of being prepared.

Congressman Meeks stated, “Securing anti-terror funding to protect our religious institutions is a must. I fought to secure $19 million from Homeland Security in the form of nonprofit security grants institutions that will greatly benefit synagogues and churches throughout New York City and will support every application submitted from within my district.”

“It is reassuring that Congressman Meeks publicly recognizes the important role that the White Shul plays in our community and the threats that synagogues like ours face from those that hate freedom. We thank him for his ongoing commitment to the Rockaways and to Israel, and look forward to continued collaboration to improve the quality of life, safety and security of our community,” said Eli Shapiro, Executive Director of the White Shul.

Also in attendance was Phil Goldfeder, Director of Intergovernmental Affair for Senator Charles Schumer.