SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s Democratic governor vowed on Monday to spend $15 million for increased security at “soft targets” like the synagogue where a gunman opened fire over the weekend, killing one worshipper. The California Legislative Jewish Caucus had requested it, calling for a 30-fold increase in a state program that last year spent $500,000 on grants to nonprofits organizations vulnerable to hate crimes. California’s Jewish lawmakers want the state to spend much more on security guards, reinforced doors and gates, high-intensity lighting and alarms, and other security for vulnerable institutions. We need real security and we need the state to step up and play a role in that.”Gabriel’s legislation would help pay for increasing physical security at non-profit organizations at higher risk because of their ideology, beliefs or mission. Hate crimes in California involving a religion increased 21 per cent in 2017, the most recent year available, according to the state attorney general, from 171 in 2016 to 207 in 2017.

Source: National Post April 30, 2019 00:45 UTC