$1 Million In Grant Money Available To Protect Nonprofits In 9 Counties, Including Atlantic

A total of $1 million in grants are now available for non-profit organizations and religious institutions in nine counties that have been deemed to be at high risk of terrorist attack, Gov. Chris Christie announced on Tuesday.

Grants are available for these institutions in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Salem, and Warren counties.

The announcement comes less than a month after an unfounded bomb threat at the Betty and Milton Katz Jewish Community Center (Katz JCC) in Cherry Hill, Camden County.

Other incidents have included the evacuation of a Jewish Community Center in Scotch Plains and evacuations at the Siegel JCC in Wilmington, Delaware, and Jewish Community Centers in York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, among others.

Even as the announcement was being made, a bomb threat was reported at a Jewish Temple and an adjoining preschool in Essex County.

“Unfortunately, as incidents in the past few weeks have shown, every area of New Jersey is vulnerable to threats and possible attacks, making these additional resources crucial in our efforts to enhance security in certain parts of the state that had not previously received federal security grant funding,” Christie said. “During these trying times, my administration remains committed to ensuring that nonprofits across our entire state have the resources they need to ensure our citizens may gather freely and securely.”

The Security Enhancements Countering Unmitigated Risk in New Jersey (SECUR-NJ) grants will be available through the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security (OHSP). Grants will not exceed $50,000, and no matching funds are required.

Those who apply for the grants and are approved will receive funding this summer, Christie said.Those who are approved will be reimbursed for allowable costs for the acquisition and installation of security equipment, specifically to prevent and protect against terrorism.

This includes physical security enhancement equipment and inspection and screening systems.

Applications will be reviewed by OHSP and the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force. Grant awards will be allocated based on risk analysis, effectiveness, and integration with broader state and local preparedness efforts, such as:

• Identification and substantiation of prior threats or attacks by a terrorist organization, network, or cell against the applicant based on the applicant’s ideology, beliefs or mission;
• Symbolic value of the site as a highly recognized regional, national, or historical institution that renders the site a possible target of terrorism;
• Findings from previously conducted threat or vulnerability assessments.

OHSP will host an information session on Wednesday, April 19, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Burlington County Office of Emergency Management in Westampton for organizations interested in applying for SECUR-NJ.

Applications must be e-mailed to OHSP at grants@njohsp.gov by close of business on May 24. Awardees will be notified in July. For more information on SECUR-NJ, visit njhomelandsecurity.gov/securnj.

Nonprofit organizations in New Jersey’s other 12 counties already are eligible to receive similar security funding through the US Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which OHSP also administers.

Christie and Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino previously announced a $10,000 reward for tips from the public leading to a bias crime conviction.

The reward money is being made available through criminal forfeiture assets, and more information is available at www.nj.gov/oag/bias.

Attached image provided by the Governor's Office