Through the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative, 27 New Jersey nonprofits will receive up to $75,000 to increase security and preparedness.
“Ensuring that nonprofit organizations that are deemed high risk have the resources needed to improve their physical security and increase their resiliency is an important part of our statewide strategy,” said Charles B. McKenna, director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
The 27 organizations consist of hospitals, temples and schools that were eligible for the grant. Criteria included maintaining a site with symbolic value, has a role in responding to or recovering from a terrorist attack, has potential vulnerabilities to an attack, and has been the subject of or affiliated with an organization that has been the subject of an attack by a terrorist organization.
In total, $1.8 million was awarded to the organizations, the fifth highest amount in the country. Eighteen organizations received the full $75,000 amount, while the other nine received anywhere from $40,000 to $74,998. DHS awarded $59 million to New Jersey earlier this year, and nationally, $19 million was made available for the UASI program.
The grants can be used toward physical security equipment or security training for personnel.
