15/12/05Money and property confiscated from criminals will fund new security measures at a Perth Synagogue to prevent racist and terrorist attacks.Attorney General Jim McGinty said the State Government had allocated $100,000 to provide perimeter security fencing around the Perth Synagogue in Menora, as well as electronic access control and surveillance systems.“The synagogue was sprayed with racist graffiti 18 months ago and these security measures will act as a deterrent and protection from these sickening attacks,” Mr McGinty said.The Attorney General said the Perth Hebrew Congregation was one of 30 community-based groups to receive a total of $1.86million worth of funding under the third round of Criminal Property Confiscation Grants.“Most of the funding for the grants comes from the large quantities of cash, cars, motorbikes, homes and real estate confiscated from drug traffickers,” he said.“Confiscating assets to use for the good of the community sends a clear message to drug traffickers and other serious criminals that they will pay for their crimes.“The community-based projects funded under this latest round of grants provide a range of services to help victims of crime as well as setting up crime prevention programs.”Mr McGinty said 99 applications for funding had been received from local government and not-for-profit organisations from around the State.The total value of all the applications received was in excess of $6.7million. A committee comprising representatives of the Attorney General, Office of Crime Prevention, Police, Health Department, and Department of Justice assessed the applications.Mr McGinty said that to date, more than $3.8million had been paid from the confiscations fund to assist a range of community groups implement crime prevention projects and provide specialist support to victims of crime.Attorney General's office: 9220 5000
List of Grants awarded under the third round of Criminal Property Confiscation grants.
