Governor Hochul allocates $70 million to strengthen synagogue security before High Holidays

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a $70 million security grant aimed at roughly 300 synagogues, yeshivas and other vulnerable nonprofits throughout New York State, a package that matches the $35 million she had earlier proposed for the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program. The grants, to be distributed this week, may be used for surveillance cameras, alarm systems, staff training and cybersecurity upgrades. Hochul highlighted that antisemitic offenses made up more than half of the 425 hate crimes recorded in New York City through August, prompting heightened anxiety ahead of the Jewish High Holidays.

In addition to the funding, the governor ordered the State Hate Crimes Task Force and the State Police to step up patrols at places of worship from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, with Superintendent Steven James confirming regular checks. She also discussed coordination with Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYPD, though neither the mayor nor an NYPD representative attended the press briefing.