Maryland Awards $10M in Security Grants Against Hate Crimes

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's administration announced Tuesday it is awarding $10 million in grants to 116 organizations statewide to bolster security against hate crimes, according to the administration. The Protection Against Hate Crimes grants will fund synagogues, mosques, nonprofit groups, community centers and other institutions across 16 counties and Baltimore City, the announcement said. Officials said the money will go toward security personnel, surveillance cameras, access-control systems, facility hardening, emergency communication systems and staff training. The initiative comes amid a rise in antisemitic and other hate-motivated incidents nationwide, with Jewish institutions in particular facing heightened security concerns in recent years. The grants are intended to help vulnerable religious and community organizations better protect their members and visitors from potential attacks.