SACRAMENTO–In the wake of the shooting at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue and the troubling trend of hate-fueled attacks across the country, Governor Gavin Newsom Monday announced that he plans to fund $15 million for the State Nonprofit Security Grant Program in the May Revise.
Administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the grant program helps nonprofit organizations that are targets of hate-motivated violence improve security at their facilities.
The governor’s January budget proposal included $800k for the Department of Justice to address audit findings identifying gaps in data collection and reporting on hate crimes.
Newsom is directing staff to work with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to ensure policies and training modules are up to date, and work to identify and fill any gaps in those efforts going forward. This work is supported by the governor’s January budget proposal.
“We all must call out hate – against any and all communities – and act to defend those targeted for their religious beliefs, who they love or how they identify,” said Governor Newsom. “An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state – who we are and what we stand for.”
Hate crimes are on the rise in California. According to the latest data from the California Attorney General’s Office, there were 1,093 reported hate crimes in 2017, a 17.4 percent increase from the prior year. Anti-Jewish bias events rose from 82 in 2016 to 104 in 2017, an increase of 26.8 percent. Anti-Islamic (Muslim) bias events rose from 37 in 2016 to 46 in 2017.
“With the stark rise in hate-motivated violence, we must do more to secure gathering places to prevent future attacks, and educate people on the dangers of anti-Semitism and hate of all forms. We are very grateful to Governor Newsom for his pro-active leadership to improve the safety of Jews and other groups targeted by hate-motivated violence,” said Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley), Chair and Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus.
On Saturday, the Chabad of Poway Synagogue was attacked by a gunman who murdered one and left three others injured. The case is being investigated as a possible hate crime and federal civil rights violation.
California has allocated $4.5 million for the State Nonprofit Security Grant Program since 2015. Since then, there has been high demand for additional funding as more nonprofit organizations have applied for the funding than previous appropriations could accommodate. The governor’s announcement will enhance the grant program funding to $15 million in the May Revise for the coming fiscal year. Funds are awarded through a competitive grant process for which organizations, particularly those targeted on the basis of race, religious affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status or similar criteria may apply.
The governor’s January budget proposal also included $10 million for the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, which supports community-based educational programs and trainings for youth, teachers and law enforcement. An additional $2 million is included for the California Museum in Sacramento, home to the Unity Center celebrating California’s diversity, customs and cultures.
