new york school bus

New York Lawmakers Call For Increased Security Funding For Non-Public Schools

The budget request hopes to make Jewish educational institutions safer in the wake of an increase in anti-Semitic attacks.

In response to an increase in anti-Semitic attacks targeting Jewish businesses and religious centers, two New York Assembly members are calling upon the legislature to increase the amount spent on security funding for nonpublic schools across the state.

Typically, New York’s budget allocates $15 million for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment Grant, which amounts to about $37 per child, according to QNS, a news outlet based out of Queens.

Now, Assembly members Daniel Rosenthal and Stacey Pheffer Amato want the New York legislature to double the allocation to $30 million in a move to protect Jewish schools from a rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes.

“All children — public school and nonpublic school alike — need to feel and be safe,” Rosenthal said in a statement, referencing conversations he has had with constituents about their security concerns. “No parent should have to worry about their child being the target of hate-fueled violence. Anti-Semitism has no place in New York; this funding affirms our commitment to protecting our children.”

The effort appears to be following a precedent set by New Jersey in late 2018, when the legislature passed a bill to give an additional $11.3 million in security funding to private and religious schools. In 2019, the amount spent on student security at New Jersey’s nonpublic schools doubled from $75 to $150.

The New York grant program is currently available to nearly all nonpublic K-12 schools, including religious educational institutions, to receive funding for a wide variety of security upgrades and safety items. As New York City saw a 26 percent increase in anti-Semitic attacks -- 55 percent of all hate crimes in the city -- lawmakers say that it is imperative to address how schools can protect targeted communities.

“I feel strongly that this funding is critical to take a stand against the recent spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes which, unfortunately, show no sign of decelerating,” Pheffer Amato said. “I am hopeful that this funding will be granted so that a measure of peace can be felt by those who may be targeted, and so that we join together to demonstrate our stand against hate.”

Other New York religious leaders, including Catholic school leaders, have supported the move, according to QNS.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Ensuring School Bus Safety: Tech-Driven Advancements and Their Impact on Student Transportation

    Parents and school districts have always shared one fundamental, non-negotiable goal: to keep students safe while traveling to and from school. Period. Read Now

  • How Campus Security Became an Art of Disappearing

    Walk across any university campus at 8:47 a.m. on a Tuesday, and you'll witness something remarkable. Thousands of students stream through buildings, carrying everything from vintage MacBooks to oversized coffee cups, lost in conversations about weekend plans or upcoming exams. If the right weapons detection is in place, most will never notice the sophisticated security measures protecting them. This invisibility can represent the highest achievement in modern campus security design. Read Now

  • Torrance USD Standardizes Its Mass Communications

    The Torrance Unified School District is a cornerstone of the Torrance, Calif. community, dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for success in college, career, and life. Serving a diverse student population, Torrance USD delivers a comprehensive and enriching educational experience from kindergarten through high school. The school district comprises 17 elementary, eight middle, and five high schools, one continuation high school, and one alternative high school.  Read Now

  • How a Rural School District Enhanced Safety, Reduced Vaping, and Improved Efficiency by Modernizing Security

    As educational leaders, our primary mission is creating safe, productive learning environments where our students can thrive. Today, that unfortunately means addressing ever-evolving challenges that range from security threats to the growing epidemic of student vaping, all while managing tight budgets and (for many of us) geographically dispersed facilities. Read Now