Doug McCrory

Sen. McCrory Welcomes Funding to Support Security for Houses of Worship, Nonprofits

State Senator Doug McCrory (D-Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor) applauded Governor Lamont and the State Bond Commission’s recent approval of $5 million in funds to improve security at houses of worship and other eligible nonprofit organizations.

“Houses of worship are a refuge for people to be able to practice their faith and gather with fellow community residents. It is a tragedy the rise in attacks we are seeing against houses of worship in recent years and the fear it has placed in people for their safety,” said Sen. McCrory. “No one should be afraid for their well-being when joining with others to practice their faith and it is incumbent on us to make resources available to scale up security at houses of worship. I am thankful to Governor Lamont and the members of the State Bond Commission for approving these substantial funds to support this aim.”

A total of $15 million in funds is dedicated over time to finance the Nonprofit Organization Security Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program. The $5 million approved by the State Bond Commission at its May 26 meeting is the second allocation in that amount to be approved.

These funds for the Nonprofit Organization Security Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program include investments and grants-in-aid to eligible nonprofit organizations exempt from taxation and at heightened risk of violence. These organizations can receive up to $50,000 in grant funding to reinforce properties, including installation of ballistic glass, solid core doors, double door access, electronic locks, remote locks, buzzer systems, cameras, strong vestibules and other security metrics.

This funding follows on a horrific rise in violent incidents and attacks occurring at houses of worship. Among violent attacks at houses of worship in recent years includes the Charleston, South Carolina shooting in 2015 in which a white supremacist killed nine African Americans during a church meeting and the Sutherland Springs, Texas shooting in 2017 where a gunman killed 26.