Amid Troubling Rise in Antisemitic Hate Crimes, Governor Has Directed Increased State Police Presence and Coordination With Local Police To Keep New Yorkers Safe Throughout High Holidays
Grants Awarded Through the State’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes
Program Will Allow Organizations to Strengthen Physical Facilities and Cyber Security
Since Taking Office, Governor Hochul Has Secured More than $200 Million in Grant Funding for 2,035 Projects Statewide
Latest Round of Funding Builds on Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Public Safety, Preventing Hate and Bias Crimes and Safeguarding the State Against Terrorism
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that a record $70 million will be distributed to 290 nonprofit community-based organizations that are vulnerable to hate crimes and attacks due to their ideology, beliefs or mission. Administered by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program will allow these organizations to strengthen both their physical facilities and cyber security as well as increase the safety of staff and individuals they serve. To date, Governor Hochul has delivered more than $201 million in State funding for 2,035 projects through the grant program since taking office five years ago.
Governor Hochul also announced today that she has directed New York State Police to increase presence and coordination with local police around sensitive sites across New York State during the Jewish High Holidays, which begin later this week. Even as violent crime in New York City and statewide has reached historic lows, recent New York City data showed that hate crimes have continued to rise — with more than half of those crimes targeting Jewish New Yorkers. State Police will maintain high-visibility patrols in Jewish communities and at religious institutions throughout the upcoming holiday period. Troopers have initiated proactive outreach to religious leaders to establish open communication and remain in contact with the Anti-Defamation League, Community Security Initiative and the Secure Community Network as well as the NYPD and federal partners.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority — and even as we’ve driven violent crime to historic lows, any increase in hate crimes is absolutely unacceptable,” Governor Hochul said. “As Jewish New Yorkers prepare for the High Holidays, we’re continuing our record investments to protect sensitive sites and surging State Police resources to keep communities safe across our state.”
Nonprofit organizations eligible to apply for Securing Communities Against Hate Crime grants include religious organizations and houses of worship, community and civic centers, cultural museums, daycare centers and other nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attack because of their ideology, beliefs or mission. The program allowed eligible organizations to request a maximum of $250,000 each — the most ever since the program’s creation in 2017 — for physical security measures at their facilities and cyber security projects. In addition to helping improve public safety, these grants reflect the state’s longstanding commitment to protecting people of all faiths, backgrounds and identities.
This newest round of grant funding comes as hate crimes in New York State have increased, with the New York City Police Department reporting a 16 percent increase (425 vs. 367) in reported hate crimes through Aug. 30, 2026, compared to the same time last year. Anti-Jewish crimes in the five boroughs increased 8 percent (229 vs. 212) during the same period, accounting for more than half (53.9%) of the confirmed hate crimes. Preliminary data reported to the state by the more than 500 police departments and sheriffs’ offices outside New York City for the first quarter of 2026 versus the same time last year also show a 16 percent increase (57 vs. 49), with anti-Jewish crimes most frequently reported; these data are the most current available.
The funding is used to support exterior or interior security improvements, such as lighting, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, barriers, access controls, shatter-resistant glass, blast-resistant film, public address systems, cybersecurity enhancements and impact protection improvements, as well as to cover the cost of security training.
DCJS will begin to notify successful grantees of their awards within the week. The agency does not disclose the names of recipient organizations as that would pose a security risk. Organizations in eight of the state’s 10 regions received funding through this award cycle:
- New York City: 147 grants totaling $35,792,289
- Mid-Hudson: 99 grants totaling $24,187,697
- Long Island: 25 grants totaling $6,014,460
- Capital Region: 10 grants totaling $2,021,100
- Finger Lakes: 3 grants totaling $750,000
- Central New York: two grants totaling $500,000
- Southern Tier: two grants totaling $372,350
- Western New York: two grants totaling $347,000
Successful applicants submitted required vulnerability assessments demonstrating that they are at risk, while outlining how the proposed security projects will help safeguard their facilities and protect the people who use them.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy.
The state Division of Human Rights enforces New York’s Human Rights Law, the country’s oldest state-level anti-discrimination law, and one of the most comprehensive sets of civil and human rights protections in the nation. Anyone who believes they have experienced discrimination can report it by calling (844) 697-3471 or visiting dhr.ny.gov. The Division also offers resources and services for individuals and communities impacted by hate and bias. Learn more at dhr.ny.gov/nohate.
Additionally, the New York State Office of Victim Services funds more than 200 programs across the State that provide services, support and assistance to victims of crime, including hate crimes. The agency also can provide eligible individuals with financial assistance for expenses resulting from being the victim of hate or other crimes. Visit ovs.ny.gov/connect to locate a program.
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