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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday an over-$60 million investment to enhance security measures for community organizations deemed vulnerable to hate crimes or other attacks.

The funding, totaling around $63.9 million from the state’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program, will support 336 nonprofits across New York state identified as “at risk of hate crimes or attacks,” two of which are located in central New York. The two CNY organizations will receive $126,424 from the state, according to Tuesday’s announcement.

The SCAHC program was first established in 2017. The initiative typically funds external and internal security improvement projects, as well as cybersecurity enhancements.

Hochul’s announcement comes just over three months after the Office of the New York State Comptroller released a report that found a surge in hate crimes across the state over the past five years. In 2023, there were 1,089 reported instances of bias-motivated criminal incidents in New York — a record number since the year 2000.

However, data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services and New York Police Department CompStat found that overall crime in New York is down 6% from last year, Hochul announced in August. The city of Syracuse similarly reported a decrease in violent crime over the summer.

Hochul’s announcement also highlighted a recent, $44.8 million federal investment into protecting organizations in the state from terrorist or extremist attacks.

The federal funding was made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Nonprofit Security Grant program. A significant portion of the grant — $36 million — will go toward organizations located in the New York City metropolitan area. FEMA has directed the other $8.8 million toward groups outside of the city.

In late August, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a record $454.5 million in funding for the NSG program, most of which it planned to direct toward faith-based groups.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told leaders from the Jewish Federations of North America and other Jewish advocacy groups during a September High Holy Day security briefing that he hopes to continue increasing the amount of NSG funding available to community groups.

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will assist in managing the execution of the funding projects alongside local stakeholders, the release states. Hochul’s announcement did not specify which groups will receive the funds.

Published on December 4, 2024 at 12:15 am

Contact Julia: jmboehni@syr.edu