Sens. Booker, Menendez urge funding increases to combat hate crimes

New Jersey lawmakers are calling for an increase in government funding to protect communities from hate crimes and domestic terrorism.

U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are urging the federal government to increase funding from $90 million to $360 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Additionally, N.J. State Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Bergen, Passaic) is seeking increased funding for New Jersey’s own Nonprofit Security Grant Program from $1 million to $10 million.

This program encourages non-profits at risk of terror attacks – including churches, mosques, synagogues, faith-based community centers, and other religious institutions — to increase security measures.

The request is in response to a recent increase in anti-Semitic attacks in New York, New Jersey and across the country, the lawmakers said.

“Within the past month, there have been at least 16 anti-Semitic attacks in New Jersey and New York alone,” Menendez said. “Our country cannot ignore the disturbing number of targeted attacks that continue to pose a threat to the Jewish community, nor tolerate threats to any religious or cultural community. By increasing federal funding to improve the security of religious institutions, we can help Americans feel safe in their places of worship again.”

Booker said these hate crimes have no place in our country.

“We must all join together to defend people of all religious and cultural backgrounds and ensure they have the resources to safely gather in their communities. Increasing federal security funds will help protect against hate-filled attacks and save lives,” Booker said.