State releases $5 million to bolster security at houses of worship. ‘These should be safe places.’

Following a sharp rise in Islamophobia and antisemitism in the U.S., the State Bond Commission authorized the release of $5 million in grants Friday to improve security in houses of worship and qualifying nonprofits in Connecticut.

It is the third round of funding for the Connecticut Nonprofit Security Grant Program, but the first following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

“These should be safe places where people feel safe and are safe. We’re doing everything we can to make that real,” Gov. Ned Lamont said.

Since 2021, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said the program has distributed roughly $10 million to 237 nonprofits that are at risk of terrorist attacks, hate crimes or violent acts, including 129 houses of worship.

Awards are capped at $50,000 and may be used to improve security infrastructure, including the installation of remote and electronic locks, security cameras, alarm systems, reinforced vestibules, bullet-resistant glass and more.

According to Senate Democrats, during the last allocation, more than 200 institutions applied for funding, 100 of which did not receive a grant.

Lamont said distribution will be prioritized by need with half the funds going to houses of worship, including synagogues and mosques.

“Hate speech can sometimes turn into hate crimes, and we’re doing everything we can in the state of Connecticut to not allow that to happen,” Lamont said. “Following 20 years ago, what we did in terms of securing our schools, now we’re doubling down in our not-for-profits, including our houses of worship.”

In the two months since the Israel-Hamas war started, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said they documented a “staggering” 2,171 reports of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian incidents. In 2022, the council said they would typically see 798 complaints in a roughly two-month period.

The Anti-Defamation League said antisemitic incidents are up by 337%, recording 2,031 incidents since Oct. 7, compared to 465 during the same span in 2022. The ADL said 40 of the most recent incidents were physical assaults, 250 targeted Jewish institutions.

State Rep. Holly Cheeseman, a ranking member of the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee and a member of the Bond Commission, said that even before recent events, the need for more security at religious institutions was evidenced by previous attacks, like the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, which killed 11 congregants in 2018.

“If these incredibly important institutions are going to be the subject of violent attack, I think we as a state, particularly as our finances permit, want to be able to step up and help protect them,” Cheeseman said. “Fortunately, because of our fiscal situation, we do have the funds to do this.”

In a press release issued after the vote, State Sens. Derek Slap and Saud Anwar, who in 2019 led the creation of the security grant program, thanked Lamont and the Bond Commission for supporting the measure.

“It is relieving, especially in times of heightened tensions and increased reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia, that this funding will continue to protect and support houses of worship across our state,” Anwar said. “Everyone should be free to practice their religion without interference or threat and this funding will make our faith communities safer.”

Slap said protecting houses of worship is critical “at this time of increased hate speech, antisemitism and Islamophobia.”

“No one should be afraid to attend services and this funding will go directly to harden infrastructure and improve security,” Slap said.

In the same release, Michael Bloom, executive director of the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut, thanked Slap, Anwar and the governor for the funding which he described as “crucial” amid a visible rise in “Jew hatred.”

“The Jewish community is thankful we live in a state that understands its role in public safety,” Bloom said.

In a statement to the Courant, Fahar Memon, chairman of the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, emphasized the need to counter hate at its roots.

“It’s unfortunate that we live at a time in which the very institutions that we turn to for comfort and peace at times of conflict are themselves places of violence. Having additional funds will undoubtedly help mosques and other houses of worship bolster their security, but it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem,” Memon said.

“Our elected leaders, in the name of partisan politics, tolerate white nationalism which targets Muslims and Jews disproportionately, and easy access to guns provides a means for those who wish to do harm to take action,” Memon added. “This funding is a very small amount to deal with a problem that is much larger, and that requires other strategies than simply reinforcing the security of buildings.”