Montgomery County Council increases security funding for houses of worship and nonprofits in wake of Israel-Hamas war

The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday approved an increase in funding for security grants for nonprofits and religious institutions that may be susceptible to hate crimes in wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The council voted unanimously to add $311,700 to bolster the existing program, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The funds are coming from undesignated reserves in the county’s budget. The grants allow organizations to pay for security guards, cameras and other safety measures.