There is a $400 million increase in federal funding for security at places of worship, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday.
The increase in money occurs as growing concerns about threats against Jewish and Muslim communitiescaused in part by the war between Israel and Hamas.
Places such as synagogues and mosques could apply to use the money to hire security officers or install cameras as part of a new increase in funding for an existing federal security grant program for nonprofits, said Schumer, a New York Democrat.
“We’re going to continue funding so that no synagogue or other religious institution has to live in the fear that they do now,” Schumer said.
Last year, the program awarded $305 million to nonprofits to help protect their facilities from potential attacks.
On Saturday, three New York City synagogues and the Brooklyn Museum received bomb threats via email, a New York Police Department spokesman said. The threats forced two synagogues to evacuate, although no explosives were found.
Houses of worship will have to apply by May 21 to receive funds in the first round.