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By Adam Thompson
/ CBS Baltimore
BALTIMORE — More than $7 million in federal funding will help strengthen security at 50 churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious community centers across Maryland, Maryland lawmakers announced on Thursday.
More than 25 of those places of worship are in the Baltimore area.
Baltimore Area – $4,050,000
National Capital Region – $2,239,850
Western Maryland – $968,500
Southern Maryland – $135,000
According to state leaders, the funding is provided through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps high-risk nonprofits, including faith-based institutions, obtain the resources required to support and integrate preparedness activities with broader state and local efforts.
“Religious freedom is protected under our Constitution, and every Marylander must be able to worship without fear for their safety,” Maryland lawmakers said in a joint statement. “With threats and attacks against faith communities on the rise, we must not only speak out against those hateful actions – we also must invest in protecting these institutions that support communities across our state. Maryland families can trust that these federal grants will help ensure houses of worship have the resources they need to keep them safe.”
Adam Thompson is a digital content producer for CBS Baltimore.
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