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

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.

“In the face of rising acts of hate, we need all the resources we can muster to stop and contain acts of violence before they happen," Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1) said in response to the announcement. "These funds will help us do just that. Hate instills fear in our friends and neighbors, and has no place in our community or anywhere in our country. With this assurance from Governor Christie and the State of New Jersey, we have an added measure of protection to stand strong in our efforts to shield houses of worship and community centers from those who wish to inflict harm. Our friends and neighbors in the Jewish, Muslim and all minority communities need to know we stand with them and are committed to their safety and well-being.”

Norcross has led criticism of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for excluding South Jersey from federal funds to safeguard our communities from terror attacks and threats.

Norcross wrote to PEMA, which administers the area’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding, to request they share resources with South Jersey to protect all of the Philadelphia-area’s Jewish communities.

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez have joined Norcross in his calls for protection.

“Acts of hate have a chilling impact, but they are no match for our collective resolve. My efforts for security will not end with these state grants. I will continue to pursue the federal funds South Jersey needs and deserves,” Norcross said. “Our religious centers, community centers and critical infrastructure sites are all vulnerable to attack, and I will fight to ensure they’re secure and South Jersey families are protected.”

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.

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