Riverdale,NY -- Governor David A. Paterson Sunday, May 31, 2009 announced that Riverdale Temple and Riverdale Jewish Center
will each receive a $25,000 grant to upgrade their security systems. The New
York State Office of Homeland Security (OHS) will work with these synagogues to
craft and submit a security plan to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). In addition, Governor Paterson sent a letter (Download UASI NSGP Letter)to Congress, requesting an
increase in homeland security funding for not-for-profits, including
synagogues.
The Governor thanked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
for expediting the funding request from the Governor’s office to allocate
fiscal year 2007 federal Urban Area Security Initiative Nonprofit Security
Grant Program (UASI NSGP) funds to the two facilities. He also applauded the
FBI, NYPD and OHS for meeting with community members at the two Riverdale
Synagogues immediately after the plot was foiled to inform them first hand of
the events which had transpired. It was at that meeting, within an hour of the
arrests of the accused terrorists, that the need for enhanced security at the
two facilities surfaced.
“These two congregations stand for the best of our nation’s values – tolerance,
liberty and peace. All New Yorkers of every faith should feel safe in their
religious sanctuaries,” said Governor Paterson. “In New
York, we must maintain a special vigilance. We know
firsthand the ravages of terror and we must continue to be proactive about
fighting terrorism at the state level. We also know that our State stands as a
beacon to freedom-loving people everywhere and we must continue to do whatever
it takes to protect our values and the New Yorkers who stand for them.”
Governor Paterson sent the attached letter to both the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees urging them to increase funding for the UASI NSGP for
fiscal year 2010.
“Last week’s foiled terror attack on these two nonprofit organizations located
in the New York urban area
demonstrates the heightened risk to nonprofits and the need for additional
assistance. Increased funding under the UASI NSGP program would provide vital
monies to enable nonprofits targeted because of their symbolic value to
implement security measures to mitigate the risk of terrorism,” added Paterson.
“I urge Congress to increase UASI NSGP above the $15 million the President’s
budget proposes for the program.”
“As I have said from day one, DHS will partner with state and local governments
and law enforcement to combat terrorism. We will be aggressive, nimble and
flexible as we have demonstrated with this action,” said Secretary Napolitano.
“I commend the FBI and our New York law enforcement partners for excellent work in foiling this plot. DHS will
continue to do everything possible to ensure that New
York and New Yorkers are supported in the effort to
combat terrorism.”
Congressman Eliot Engel said: “I want to thank Governor Paterson for his quick
action in securing funds to help protect the synagogues which were recently
threatened by terrorist attack. This money from the Department of Homeland
Security will be used to purchase technology, including cameras for
surveillance, to better protect these buildings and the individuals using them.
I have reached out to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet
Napolitano urging that funds be made available directly to local institutions
or through the State for this important purpose.”
Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith said: “Freedom to worship is a
fundamental right that should never be put in jeopardy. Any threat to that basic
right is a threat to us all and must never be tolerated. Our commitment to
ensuring the safety for all houses of worship is absolute and I applaud
Governor Paterson for securing the funding that will help us continue to meet
that commitment and maintain the sanctity of our religious freedom.”
Senator Eric T. Schneiderman said: “Here is another example of smart, responsive coordination between state and federal agencies to protect our religious institutions from homeland security threats. I applaud Governor Paterson for taking swift and decisive action to secure funding for security improvements for the Riverdale Temple and Riverdale Jewish Center. This funding will provide critical security system upgrades necessary for New Yorkers to feel safe again in their synagogues.”
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “Our community was the target of a heinous
plot of four individuals whose goal was to kill as many Jewish people as they
could. The Riverdale Jewish Center, on the very block where I live, and
Riverdale Temple, of which my family and I are members, were both saved thanks
to the incredible work of the NYPD, the FBI, Homeland Security, the Joint
Terrorism Task Force and the entire law enforcement community. Governor
Paterson reacted quickly and decisively. I very much appreciate the fact that
the Governor has returned to Riverdale and responded to our request by
providing much-needed funding to support our efforts to protect the people of
our community. We must remain strong and vigilant, and I look forward to
continuing to work with the Governor in every way possible to keep Riverdale
and every community safe from terrorists.”
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. said: “The hard work of the FBI and the
NYPD helped us to avoid a major catastrophe at these two synagogues, but we must
remain vigilant against potential attacks in the future. This critical funding
will help both the Riverdale Jewish Center and the Riverdale Temple increase
their security to be prepared should a once unthinkable ugliness rear its head
again. An attack on one house of worship is an attack on all houses of worship,
and I join all Bronxites in thanking Governor Paterson for making these funds
available.”
