The Moore-Miller administration has announced they are pouring $10 million into protecting vulnerable communities from hate crimes in FY27. According to the Department of Justice, hate crimes in Maryland more nearly tripled from 89 in 2021 to 265 in 2023. Gov. Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) said money will be distributed among more than 100 nonprofit organizations, houses of worship, and community centers across 16 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. The State Fiscal Year 2027 Protection Against Hate Crimes (PAHC) grants pay for measures like security guards, access control systems, surveillance cameras, facility hardening, emergency communication systems, and staff training designed to protect Marylanders who are frequently targeted because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status. “The safety and security of all Marylanders is my top priority, so we are drawing a hard line because we have no tolerance for hate,” Moore said. “We are committed to protecting and ensuring safe and sacred spaces stay that way by investing in non-profit organizations, houses of worship and community centers to protect and honor every community that makes our state so diverse and special.” The broad array of communities protected by the PAHC program includes synagogues, mosques, LGBTQ+ community organizations, and more. Every year these vulnerable communities apply for funding to help pay for armed security, better protected doors and windows, security systems, and lockdown features to protect themselves against active shooters. “People want to feel safe when they gather to worship or participate in community activities,” said Dorothy Lennig, executive director of the GOCPP. “When a violent actor targets people because of their race or religion– it destabilizes our sense of security. That is why our PAHC grant funding is so sought after. It is a tangible way to reclaim that sense of safety for our grantees and those that they serve.” Organizations that repeatedly request help with improved safety measures expressed gratitude for the promised funding and the acknowledgement the funding represents. “Grace Gospel Worship Center is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who enters our facility,” said Rick Johnson, administrator at Grace Gospel. “We are grateful for the support provided through the State of Maryland grant, which allows us to strengthen our security measures and take proactive steps toward protecting our staff, members, visitors, and community.” “Protection Against Hate Crime funding has strengthened the Pride Center of Maryland’s ability to protect, educate, and support the communities we serve… at a time of heightened concern associated with the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ/SGL (same-gender-loving) policies and pressures,” said Cleo Manago, CEO of Pride Center of Maryland. “PAHC funding helps us do more than improve physical security—it strengthens our community’s knowledge, preparedness, connection to resources, and ability to respond to hate with greater awareness and support.” “We are grateful to Governor Wes Moore and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy for their commitment to protecting faith-based communities across Maryland,” said Rabbi Dana Saroken, Senior Rabbi at Beth El Congregation of Baltimore. “This grant funding will allow our Congregation to make important security enhancements that will help protect our congregants, students, staff, and the thousands of people who spend time on our campus.” “This investment affirms the Governor’s commitment to ensure that people of all religions can participate in religious life without fear of attacks or danger and that congregants, of all ages, who come to our synagogue to gather, learn, pray, and celebrate their Judaism will be protected and safe,” Saroken said. “We are incredibly grateful.” The PAHC program began in 2019 to help organizations around Maryland respond to the increase in hate crimes and bias incidents that targeted religious, racial, and other protected communities. Maryland has awarded this funding annually since the program began, reflecting the Moore-Miller broader approach of prioritizing prevention along with enforcement of hate crimes. ...read more read less