Gov. Newsom Supports $15 Million for Security at Religious Facilities After Synagogue Shooting

Mourners look over a make-shift memorial across the street from the Chabad of Poway Synagogue on April 28, 2019, in Poway, California.(Credit: Sandy Huffaker/AFP/Getty Images)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Apr 29, 2019 / 03:56 PM PDT

Updated: Apr 29, 2019 / 03:57 PM PDT

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California’s Democratic governor is vowing to spend $15 million for increased security at “soft targets” like the synagogue where a gunman opened fire over the weekend, killing one worshipper.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that he will include the money in his $144 billion general fund budget proposal, which he intends to revise by the middle of May.

The California Legislative Jewish Caucus had called for the 30-fold increase in a state program that last year spent $500,000 on grants to nonprofits organizations vulnerable to hate crimes.

California has spent $4.5 million since 2015 to augment a federal grant program created after the 2001 terrorist attacks. But it was reduced to $500,000 last year.