Source: The Catonsville Times
The Islamic Society of Baltimore plans to use a $15,000 grant from the federal government to increase security at its Johnnycake Road facility.
The society is one of 12 nonprofit organizations in Baltimore County to be awarded grants through the Baltimore Urban Area Work Group.
The Baltimore group is composed of emergency management officials from Annapolis, Baltimore City and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties.
It awarded $650,000 from the Department of Homeland Security to 35 community organizations in the area.
Of the 12 groups in the county, all but the Westview mosque are in Pikesville and Owings Mills.
"When you look at what is going on around the world, it's Jewish facilities and mosques that have concerns," said Maj. Jeff Caslin, commanding officer of the homeland security division of the Baltimore County Police Department and a member of the work group,
The grants ranged from $800 to $35,000.
The money will be used to enhance security at facilities such as synagogues, mosques, interfaith centers, religious schools and community centers judged to be at risk for terrorist attacks.