Harrisburg, PA – Through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security (OHS) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Shapiro Administration invited religious leaders and security personnel from faith-based organizations to a special event today aimed at providing essential information to enhance the security of places of worship.
The inaugural House of Worship Safety and Security Symposium was presented in Harrisburg as part of OHS’s ongoing efforts to reduce targeted violence.
“In an era marked by an unsettling rise in targeted violence, faith-based organizations and houses of worship stand as pillars of community, spirituality, and peace, yet increasingly find themselves at risk,” said Major Michaelann Andrusiak, Director of the Office of Homeland Security. “The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security is dedicated to supporting these organizations, ensuring they are well-informed, and prepared to take proactive measures to maintain and enhance their safety.»
The event featured a panel of experts who offered guidance on developing emergency action plans, security best practices, strategies for conflict de-escalation, protecting children during services, and applying for nonprofit security grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
The Shapiro-Davis Administration recently opened the seventh cohort of Pennsylvania’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program in July after securing $10 million in the 2024-25 budget, a $5 million increase from years past. This funding supports much needed planning, training, equipment, and technology upgrades for places of worship, community centers, and other nonprofit entities.
Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations who primarily serve individuals, groups, or institutions targeted because of race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender-identity, or gender biases. The deadline to apply is August 27, 2024. Applicants can find more information about the program on the PCCD website.
Since its inception, PCCD’s Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program has provided $25 million in funding to more than 580 organizations and based on reported data of the number of people who visit these facilities, is estimated that approximately four million people across the Commonwealth have been impacted by this funding to date.
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security holds regular workshops and training sessions for faith-based communities to improve security and resilience. More information about these events and resources can be found on the Training and Events page of the OHS website.
The Risk & Vulnerability Assessment Team (RVAT), through the Pennsylvania State Police, also provides security evaluations and resources to the religious community. These assessments identify practical steps to better protect facilities and events. RVAT offers this free service to public and private facilities, including houses of worship, schools, government buildings, and other critical infrastructure. Details can be found on the Resources page of the OHS website.
