More than $51 million in grants to strengthen safety and security measures at nonprofit, community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission is being made available by New York State. This funding is the largest amount ever available through the State’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grants, and for the first time, could be used to enhance an organization’s cybersecurity. In addition to announcing the funding, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will strengthen investigation and reporting requirements for hate crime incidents occurring on college campuses.
Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, which administers the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program, has awarded funding to 497 organizations statewide for 1,081 projects totaling $51,680,910, with $8,899,091 going toward 187 cybersecurity projects. Successful grant applicants were notified of their awards on Tuesday. Governor Hochul announced the availability of this funding last fall. The next round of grant funding is expected to be made available through a request for applications in December 2023.
Created in 2017, the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program provides funding to strengthen security measures and prevent hate crimes against the nonprofit community and civic centers, cultural museums, daycare centers, and other nonprofit organizations that may be vulnerable because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission. This funding can be used to support exterior or interior security improvements, including but not limited to lighting, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, barriers, access controls, shatter-resistant glass and blast-resistant film, public address systems, and for the first time, measures to strengthen cybersecurity. Funds can also cover costs associated with security training.
In December 2022, Governor Hochul launched a statewide Hate and Bias Prevention Unit within the New York State Division of Human Rights. The unit is charged with quickly mobilizing to support communities in which a hate and bias incident has occurred and organizing anti-bias councils in each region of the state. The councils, which are chaired by Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, provide a place for community members to share concerns, organize educational programming, host hate crime prevention and community healing events, conduct trainings in conflict resolution, and facilitate the filing of complaints with the Division and other relevant agencies.
In May 2023, Governor Hochul convened the state’s inaugural Unity Summit, bringing together 500 representatives from community organizations, law enforcement, and faith groups for panel discussions and conversations about ways to work together to prevent hate.
Hate Crime Reporting on College Campuses
Legislation S.2060-A/A.3694-A amends the education law to require a college’s advisory committee on campus security to review current policies and procedures for educating the campus community about bias-related and hate crimes, reporting hate crimes, and assisting victims during hate crime investigations. This legislation also updates the procedure for disseminating information on campus crime statistics and specifically requires the reporting and posting of hate crime offenses. It requires this information to be made available on the college’s website, no longer simply providing students information about how to access it within the campus catalog, student handbook, and viewbook. Now, colleges will also be required to adopt a plan providing for the investigation of hate crimes on campus and inform incoming students about hate crime prevention measures.
This legislation will require colleges that receive state funding to modernize and enhance their disclosure of hate crimes that occur on campus. To ensure students remain safe on college campuses in New York, the bill also creates a clear obligation on the part of colleges to investigate potential hate crimes and report them to law enforcement. This bill would also strengthen existing reporting and information disclosure laws pertaining to identifying and addressing bias crimes on college campuses.
“Hate has absolutely no place in our state, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to make sure every New Yorker is safe from baseless violence that stems from prejudice,” Governor Hochul said. “This is a historic investment in the communities that need our help the most, and with these funds, New York’s most at-risk organizations will be able to invest in the security measures they need to stay safe. In the face of disgusting vitriol and violence, I want to be clear: we are not afraid. If you attack one of us, you attack us all — and no one wins a fight against New Yorkers.”
