LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Six faith-based organizations will be receiving worship grants to enhance their security.
The Department of Public Safety along with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Tuesday that six organizations would receive grants from the Right to Worship Safely Grant Program.
The six organizations include:
024 Arkansas Right to Worship Safely Grant Awardees
- Congregation Agudath Achim: $43,200
- Congregation B’nai Israel: $74,449
- Congregation House of Israel: $11,273
- Lubavitch of Arkansas: $60,000
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hot Springs: $8,065
- Subiaco Abbey: $30,805
The program, according to a news release, supports physical security improvements and other security activity projects that serve to assist nonprofit ideology-based/spiritual/religious entities in the prevention, protection against, preparedness for, and response to terrorist threats, or other extremist attacks.
“The right to worship freely is our most fundamental right,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “With threats against religious communities rising across the country, we created the Right to Worship grant program for faith groups in need of protection. No person or community should ever be violently targeted for their faith. The recipients we are announcing today demonstrated the highest need for support, and I’m proud my administration is stepping up to help.”
Nothing existed previously to provide aid for those at high risk for a terrorist attack. So the Governor and her staff worked with Arkansas State Police and the legislature to address that, ASP stated in a news release.
“The Department of Public Safety’s mission is to ensure the safety and security of all Arkansans. While Arkansans are worshiping, they should not fear for their safety.” said DPS Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar.
