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Committee releases bill to let nonprofits use security grants for training and intelligence
Summary
S3610 was amended and released to expand the allowable uses of the New Jersey nonprofit security grant program to include training and intelligence gathering; Jewish community leaders testified that grants for training saved lives and improved preparedness.
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee voted to release S3610 after amendments clarifying technical language and expanding the nonprofit security grant program to include funding for training and intelligence gathering in addition to physical security improvements.
Dina Dubovsky, associate director of the American Jewish Committee of New Jersey, told the committee that physical hardening of buildings must be paired with staff training and access to threat information. “Physical security matters deeply, but preparedness, training, and access to timely intelligence are equally essential,” she said.
Rabbi James Fader and Rabbi David Levy described specific incidents and the role of grants in preventing or mitigating attacks; Fader recounted a Molotov cocktail attack on a Bloomfield temple and said reinforced doors and cameras aided police response.
Committee members supported the amended bill, saying the expanded grant purposes would help communities better prepare for and respond to threats. The bill was released as amended and will proceed to the next legislative step.
