Legislators Seek Funding for Security Measures at Houses of Worship

Legislators Seek Funding for Security Measures at Houses of Worship

After several deadly attacks on houses of worship, legislators are stepping up to find funding to install necessary security solutions.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • May 30, 2019

Last month's shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego was the latest deadly attack on houses of worship and appears to have been the spark to light the fire under legislators looking to seek out funding for additional security measures for houses of worship.

According to the Wall Street Journal, several local, state and federal lawmakers are looking to fund necessary security solutions at houses of worships to help prevent and protect against the next attack.

New York city council members want to include money in the budget for houses of worship in the state to hire a security guard, armed or unarmed, to patrol the religious facilities. In Connecticut, state legislators are asking for $5 million to pay for security measures like cameras and shatterproof windows. 

Ohio state senators have introduced legislation that would authorize $75 million to help security religious gathering places and other non-profits, up from $60 million last year. The grants would help to fund everything from surveillance cameras to active shooter training. 

"Places of worship should be a safe haven," U.S. Senator Gary Peters (R-OH) said. "Tragically, the rise in the number of violence attacks at synagogues, mosques and churches, has shattered that expectation.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

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