Last year, Congress appropriated $25 million to bolster non-profit security across the nation, yet DHS still hasn’t solicited applications or announced a timeline for when the grants will be distributed.

Meanwhile, while DHS continues to delay, news reports last week indicate that Hezbollah is targeting institutions in the United States, particularly in New York City.  Operatives with the terrorist group have sent video and photographs of possible U.S. terror targets – including synagogues and Jewish community centers – back to Lebanon and Iran.  And the FBI has been in contact with Jewish community leaders.

The non-profits grants are specifically designed to install security measures such as surveillance cameras, barriers and controlled entry systems at the very institutions being singled out as potential targets – yeshivas and synagogues throughout the five boroughs.  The program also funds security enhancements at New York City landmarks such as the Museum of Modern Art and the New York Public Library.

With mounting tensions in the Middle East fueling credible threats against U.S. targets, Reps. Weiner and Maloney demanded swift action in a letter to Secretary Chertoff.  Given the department’s abysmal track record with risk based funding, the members of Congress also demanded that the grants be based solely on threat. 

“We urge you to make sure that there are no further delays, and that the grants are distributed to the places that need it most,” the members of Congress wrote in a letter to Secretary Chertoff.

            “Once again, the Department of Homeland Security       is putting its incompetence on display,” said Rep. Weiner.  “New York City’s museums, hospitals and religious institutions are spending millions to protect themselves while DHS ignores Congress and sits on critically needed security funds.”

“Can these people get anything right? Only they would have the lack of common sense to withhold these resources while we face a threat,” said Rep. Maloney.  “Since they had trouble identifying any of the national icons or monuments in our city, maybe they haven’t heard of any of our world famous museums, hospitals or religious institutions either.”

Last year, $5.4 million in non-profit funding went to protect dozens of institutions in New York City, including thirty yeshivas and synagogues.

The full text of the Weiner and Maloney letter to Secretary Chertoff is attached to this release.

# # #

The Honorable Michael Chertoff

Secretary

Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC 20528

Dear Secretary Chertoff:

Congress is aware that protecting homeland security is a burden, logistically and financially, being borne not just by government, but by hundreds of non-profit organizations that are also potential targets terror.  Museums, hospitals, religious institutions, and other organizations are being forced to spend thousands, if not millions, of dollars protecting themselves.           

Yet months after Congress allocated $25 million to help non-profit organizations install security measures like cameras and barriers, your department has failed to release the money.  In light of recent news that Hezbollah is targeting institutions in the United States – and particularly New York City – we are writing to request that you ensure that those dollars be granted to recipients as soon as possible. 

Moreover, we urge you to distribute the funding on the basis of threat – and threat alone.

            As you know, New York City received more than $5.4 million in a previous round of funding, which went to dozens of institutions in New York City, including the Museum of Modern Art, The New York Public Library, and a variety of yeshivas and synagogues throughout the five boroughs.  Those grants did a world of good.

            But many more of our great cultural institutions, schools, and places of worship would benefit from additional security.

            Your department has an abysmal record when it comes to distributing funding on the basis of threat, and as a result, the places most likely to be targeted, like New York City, have been shortchanged.

            We urge you to make sure that there are no further delays, and that the grants are distributed to the places that need it most.