Maine Houses of Worship Seek State Funding for Security Upgrades

Religious organizations push for $1.5 million state grant program amid rising tensions and hate crimes

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:27am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Religious organizations across Maine are advocating for a new state-funded security grant program to help them upgrade security measures at their facilities. This comes as houses of worship have faced a rise in vandalism, threats, and hate crimes in recent years, particularly targeting Jewish and Muslim communities. The proposed $1.5 million program would provide funding for security cameras, fencing, bulletproof glass, and other safety improvements, as federal grant money has become more difficult to obtain.

Why it matters

The push for state-level security funding highlights the growing concerns among religious communities in Maine about public safety and the need to protect their places of worship. With a rise in hate crimes and religious tensions, many congregations no longer feel comfortable hosting large gatherings without security present, raising questions about the ability of faith groups to freely practice their religion.

The details

The proposed state security grant program is modeled after a federal program that has provided over $8 million to more than three dozen organizations in Maine since 2020, mostly religious groups. However, religious leaders say the federal funding has become increasingly difficult to obtain, with delays of up to 180 days. The state program would give nonprofits more flexibility, including the ability to hire off-duty police officers for security. Houses of worship have used past funding to install security cameras, fencing, and other infrastructure upgrades to deter attacks.

  • In 2023, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Madawaska was vandalized, causing up to $300,000 in damage.
  • Last week, a man rammed a car into a synagogue in Michigan before being killed in a shootout with security guards.

The players

Scott Nussinow

Chair of the safety and security committee at Temple Shalom, a Jewish synagogue in Auburn.

Rep. Michael Brennan

A Democratic state representative from Portland who introduced the legislation for the state security grant program.

Zach Schwartz

Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, a key advocate for the state program.

M. Nasir Shir

A leader in Portland's Muslim community who hopes state funding could be used to hire security for places of worship.

Suzanne Lafreniere

Director of public policy for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, which has received over $500,000 in federal security grants.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“A lot of Jewish organizations in the state no longer feel comfortable having large gatherings without a security guard present. The choice is, basically, either close our doors and stop gathering, or we're going to have to find the funds to pay for security guards.”

— Zach Schwartz, Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine

“It's so expensive to do. The funding is allowing us to enhance stuff and/or add stuff that we wouldn't have been otherwise able to do.”

— Nick Henry, Chief Financial Officer, Crosspoint Church

What’s next

The Maine House of Representatives is expected to vote on the state security grant program bill in the next few weeks. If passed, the $1.5 million program would provide funding for religious organizations and other nonprofits to upgrade their security measures.

The takeaway

The push for state-level security funding for houses of worship in Maine reflects the growing concerns among religious communities about public safety and the need to protect their places of worship. This effort to create a dedicated state grant program highlights the challenges faced by faith groups in accessing federal funding and the importance of finding local solutions to address rising tensions and hate crimes.