Security funding approved for places of prayer

The October shooting in Pittsburgh that left 11 Jewish worshippers dead has moved the Montgomery County council to approve a special appropriation to protect places of worship.

The council set aside $200,000 in the 2019 fiscal budget to help local congregations that want to expand or improve security measures.

The move was unanimously approved by the council and County Executive Ike Leggett as a means to protect the county’s uniquely diverse religious community.

Grant applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of emergency management personnel and representatives of the county police department.

“It is not only a one faith community, it is an all-faith community and we have seen that in other places in the south and other places as well, so we need to make certain that this money is spent so that people when they are in a place of worship or a school or other places, they feel safe,” said Montgomery County Council member Sidney Katz.

The money is considered part of a one-time grant however incoming County Executive Marc Elrich could decide to preserve that funding for future budgets.