Religious Groups Receive Federal Security Grants

The Department of Homeland Security gave more than $24-million in grants to mostly Jewish nonprofit groups in major cities across the country that it believes could be targets of terrorist activity, reports the Associated Press.

The grants will be used to improve physical security and screening systems and to train employees on how to watch for and respond to possible terrorist attacks. Groups located in Chicago and New York received the most financial support. Although most recipients were Jewish organizations, grants also went to an Islamic group in Miami, the American Red Cross, and St. Michael’s Medical Center, in Newark, N.J.

Department spokesman Russ Knocke said, “One faith group is not necessarily at greater risk than another. Risk is often circumstantial and it is constantly evolving.”