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Community leaders propose $250,000 pilot security-grant fund for faith groups and nonprofits
Summary
Speakers representing faith communities and nonprofit groups urged the council to pilot a $250,000 security-grant program capped at $15,000 per organization to help congregations and nonprofits cover rising security costs tied to hate incidents and threats.
Jonathan Goldsmith, president of the Jewish Federation of Annapolis and the Chesapeake, proposed a $250,000 pilot security-grant program to help faith organizations and nonprofits pay for security improvements, suggesting a $15,000 cap per organization to broaden participation.
Joe Tulin described recent local incidents and cited data he said showed rising anti-LGBTQ and anti-Latino incidents in Maryland and nationally; he said Latino congregations are especially burdened by security costs and that some groups spend a large share of their annual budgets on security. Other congregational leaders described the expense and emotional toll of maintaining private security and police coverage for routine services.
Proponents urged the council to create a modest pilot to help multiple organizations and to revisit funding amounts after evaluating the program's effects. No council action or vote took place during the May 13 hearing.
