The Department of Justice (DOJ) is providing over $7.7 million to enhance security at religious facilities due to a rise in threats, including active shooter incidents. Faith-based institutions and law enforcement agencies can apply for grants of up to $150,000 or $200,000 for various security-related expenses, as detailed in the DOJ's funding notice released on Wednesday.
The funding includes support for training and supplies for professional-grade security cameras connected to real-time law enforcement systems, which the DOJ states is crucial for gathering evidence in hate crime cases. Additionally, the funding will cover overtime costs for law enforcement officers to maintain a visible security presence at these facilities, which has been shown to deter potential attacks.
The Family Research Council reported an increase in crimes and threats against U.S. churches, rising from 50 incidents in 2018 to 485 in 2023, with a slight decrease to 415 incidents in 2024. The DOJ's funding aims to foster collaboration between religious communities and local law enforcement, implement effective security measures, and enhance the capacity to report incidents and assist in investigations.