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Troup County Sheriff’s Office Church Security &
Emergency Preparedness program
HOUSE OF WORSHIP
SAFETY AND SECURITY MEETING
PRESENTER:
JASON S. RITTER
[email protected] 404.430.7933
Why Do We Need Church Security?
Security should not be the main focus of any church but providing adequate security will help create an environment where people don’t fear violence and it does not hinder them from attending church.
Common statements that make me roll my eyes
“Ya’ll are way overreacting”
“We’re to small of a church for that stuff” “We can’t afford it”
“All these security folks are making me nervous”
“It won’t ever happen here”
Violent Incidents Are Nothing New Attacksorviolentincidentsarenothingnew
butareincreasing.-Inthepast20years
• 1080+ViolentincidentsatChurchesorReligiousEvents*(Suicide,Murder,Robbery,Rape,Assault,Kidnapping)
• 360+OccurredinsidetheChurch*• 720+Occurredonthepropertyorduringanevent*
• Therehavebeen346peoplekilledduringtheseincidents*
History
• On 13th June 2019, sixty-two year old Arthur Edigin fatally shot his wife and critically injured his thirty-one year old daughter at the Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Cypress, Texas, before taking his own life in a nearby hotel.
History • InApril2019agunmanwalkedintoa
synagogueinSanDiegokilling1andinjuringothers.
• InDecember2019aformeryouthpastorinParkHills,MOpleadguiltytochildmolestaWonaXerbeingchargedwithhavingasexualrelaWonshipwitha13yearoldgirlinhischurch.
History • In 2015, a 62 year old woman was robbed at gun point
while walking from her car to the front door of the Word of Restoration Church in Albany, Georgia.
• In 2015, nine people were killed when a gunman opened fire on them during Wednesday night Bible study at the Emanuel Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
History • November 5 2017 Sutherland Springs, TX – A
gunman arrived at the church and began firing through the front doors before making entry and killing 26 people and injuring 10. The youngest victim was 18 months old.
History • Deadly Force Incident Statistics from 1999-2017
YEAR DEATHS INCIDENTS 2010 51 102 2011 52 107 2012 76 139 2013 45 132 2014 74 176 2015 77 248 2016 65 246 2017 77 208
The Reality of Violence at Church • While rare, acts of violence do occur at Churches. • Violent acts may include robbery, murder,
rape and assault. • The majority of attacks are carried out by
someone with some connection to the Church. • The most common violent act at Churches is a
shooting. • Most Churches are unprepared for a violent
event or its aftermath.
Who is at Risk?
• No Church is immune to the risk of a violent episode occurring.
• Churches of all sizes, locations and resources have experienced acts of violence.
Who is at Risk?
• Manyradicalgroups arenowtargeWngChurchesthatspeakoutonsocialissues.
How to Improve Security Have A Plan
Church leadership should have a basic plan in place for dealing with security issues. The plan should deal with such areas as:
• Disruption of services • Violence • Natural disaster • Medical Emergency • Missing Child
The plan should clearly define procedures to handle a variety of situations.
Have Someone in Charge • A Church security team led by one person in
charge of security is usually the best way to improve security. -The person in charge needs to
be someone with command and control experience. • Current or retired law
enforcement officers or military personnel are usually the best choices.
Security Assessment • ConductasecurityassessmenttoidenWfyany
vulnerabiliWes.-Ideally,thisassessmentisconductedinconjuncWonwithlocallawenforcementorothersecurityprofessionals.
• Developasecurityplanandguidelineswithdefinedrolesforallstaff,includinggreeters,ushersandotherfrontlineworkers.
Security Recommendations Surveillance
-SurveillanceandobservationarecriWcaltoavoidingandminimizingharassmentandthreats.-Ideally,Churchstafforvolunteerswouldconfrontanypotentialissueintheparkinglotratherthaninside.-Videosystems
arealsoveryhelpful.
-Camerasnotonlyactasadeterrent,butalsopreserveevidenceforlateranalysisandprosecuWon.
Security Recommendations • Use Multiple Layers of Security
-Train all greeters, ushers and other staff to recognize and act on threats. Even if it is simply calling 911. -Have volunteers
patrol or watch parking areas.
-Ushers and greeters usually know most people who attend and should be trained on how to deal with threats or unruly persons.
Security Recommendations • Conduct Training of your Security Team.
-The more the better. -If your congregation has law enforcement members or military personnel they should be recruited to assist in training and help with security. -Have local law
enforcement assist in training.
Security Recommendations • Communication is essential to church security.
-Have a plan to communicate with security teams and with church leaders quickly if an incident occurs. -Have a way to alert Sunday school teachers and child care staff. -It can be as simple as text messages
• Two way radios • Intercom
Security Recommendations • Be Ready to Lockdown Childcare
-Have procedures in place for lockdown of sensitive places, such as childcare. -Procedures need to be in place for notifying the childcare staff of any disruption or security threat. -The childcare staff should immediately lock all entrances into the childcare area, allowing no one entry until the crisis has been resolved.
Security Recommendations • Check-In System for Childcare
-You need a tested and effective system for childcare check-in and check-out, and allow no deviations from it. -Volunteers and
workers need to be trained to question anything that doesn’t look right.
-Prepare to endure complaints about the inconvenience.
• Conduct Background Checks
Healthy Children Guidelines
In order to prevent the spread of communicable diseases among the children/students, several guidelines are in place concerning disease.
1. Children/students with infectious diseases should be kept home until they are no longer contagious. If a child/student is exhibiting symptoms of illness such as fever,
diarrhea, open skin lesions or blisters (as in chicken pox), or persistent nasal discharge, the parent should keep the child/student home.
2. Volunteers should use disposable latex gloves and proper hygiene procedures to change diapers, wipe noses, and handle blood spills.
3. Hand washing or use of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer must be a regular habit for both children
and volunteers. 4. Toys and equipment should be washed and disinfected regularly.
5. Your church should be dedicated to preventing the spread of disease among the children/students. Ministry Directors/Pastors have the right to refuse a child/student on
the basis of questionable symptoms.
Security Recommendations • Act Quickly and Calmly
-Church security and/or ushers should become visible at the first signs of a disruption or trouble. -They should place themselves between the disruptors and the congregation. -This will help people to remain calm, and will help isolate the disruptors early and prevent them from moving freely within the Church. -Someone on Church staff should reassure the congregation that the situation is being handled and the service will resume momentarily.
Security Recommendations • Medical Emergencies
-Have a list of Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics in your congregation who would be willing to help in a crisis. -Have a first aid kit readily available. -Have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on the property and easily accessible with volunteers trained in it’s use.
Security Recommendations • Other Tips For Security Improvement
-Control access points, use only necessary entrances and exits. “Necessary” is the key word and should not be replaced with “convenient”. -Have greeters at all entry doors. -Church keys, who has them? -Staff and volunteers should not work alone especially at night. -Conduct opening inspections to be sure the property is secure.
Security Recommendations -Makesurelightingissufficientandshrubberyismaintainedtolimithidingplaces.-ConductclosinginspecWontomakesureallwindowsanddoorsaresecureandthatsomeoneisnotleXinthefacility.-Ensurethattheinsideofthefacilityisproperlylightedandexitsaremarked.-HaveanemergencyplaninplaceandperiodicallypracWceitandreviseasnecessary.-Maintainaninventoryofallexpensiveoreasilystolenitemsandperformaperiodicaudittoensureallitemsarepresent.
Disruptors • Isolate or Remove
• Churches have the right to remove disruptive individuals.
• Verbally communicate to the disruptors that they are trespassing and they must leave.
• If they refuse to leave, it may be best to keep them contained and wait for law enforcement to arrive unless they pose a physical threat.
• To the extent possible, move congregants who are in close proximity to another part of the sanctuary.
Disruptors • Keep Potential Disruptors Out
-Courts have held that Churches have the right to keep people out of the Church. -An individual does not have a legally protected right to enter and remain on private property. -If you know a person is a security threat or potentially disruptive, you have the right to keep them from entering.
Active Shooter Having an active shooter in the church is an unlikely scenario for any church but you need a plan.
-Follow protocols rather than improvising. -Reduce provocation. Set guidelines for denying access to people who are unstable, agitated, angry, or intoxicated. -Alert the entire security team and 911. -Have a security team go to and secure any child care area. -Evacuate worshippers when possible and secure doors.
Active Shooter
If a shooter gets in: -Direct confrontation is essential -This is dangerous, but you can improve your chances by distracting the shooter. -If you are close, you have a chance to fight. If you are far, you get shot. -Get a hold of the gun, don’t let go and point it away from people.
Active Shooter
Fight for your life. This is not a fair fight. Use improvised weapons, gouge eyes, bite, kick, pull hair Have a trained security team approach and overwhelm the shooter by any means. (Preferably) Armed off duty law enforcement
Responding to Transients
• Helping the poor is central to the church’s mission. But that does not mean that such help should be done thoughtlessly or without concern for the welfare and safety of those who work with the needy.
• To avoid problems, church staff members need training and guidance in responding to transients and to other individuals seeking help.
Responding to Transients
• Define each staff member’s role with respect to the church’s ministry of caring for the needy.
• Provide training to church secretaries and other staff members on how to respond to transients.
• Tell people what you can do rather than what you cannot do. Keep coming back to “Let me tell you what we can do.” This may be only making a referral.
Responding to Transients • Establish procedures to enhance personal safety
in responding to the needs of transients. -When a secretary is working alone at the church, the building should be locked. • -Electronic lock • -Doorbell
If a secretary or other church staff is working alone at the church:
-Do not indicate this to a stranger or over the phone
Have a voucher system rather than giving out cash.
Working Alone • If someone is working at the church alone:
-Let others know your schedule. -Keep all doors secured. -Do not allow strangers to enter when alone. -If at night, call someone and let them know they are leaving and driving home. -Have adequate lighting around parking areas and walk ways.
Call 911 Don’t hesitate to call 911 immediately if you feel an unsafe situation is developing.
-The caller should stay on the line until law enforcement arrives -The manner in which the call is made and the information given is important, so do not downplay the event.
Calling 911 • What is the emergency? Be as brief as possible so the
call taker can get you the right resources on the way to help you (police, fire, ems)
• Name, Address, detailed location on the property where the assistance is needed (main building, playground, fellowship hall)
• Other pertinent information • If it’s a medical call- symptoms showing, age,
health issues, how the injury/illness occurred • If it’s a need for police- suspect description,
vehicle description, what’s the nature of the disruption
• If it’s a need for fire- evacuations complete, best entry point, etc.
Once Help Arrives
- Have someone meet law enforcement at the entrance -Give as many details as possible to the first officer on scene and
then follow his/her directions -Give them a master key to the facility
-Give them maps, door codes, key cards, etc. -Give them as much information as you have as quickly as you can
Security Concerns for Churches *Foundation for Church Security
• Greeters/Ushers roles Øinvolving smiling Ø shaking hands Ø directing guests Ø passing the offering plate Ø helping during services *Fortunately those will continue to be your primary tasks
Security Concerns for Churches *Foundation for Church Security
• Also share the responsibility for the safety and security of the congregation
• You are not expected to do it all by yourself or act as a police officer, but you are expected to • Observe people and the environment • Assess the situation • See if there is danger and respond appropriately • Dual roles greeter and guardian
The Church Environment Plan for Emergency
• Rarely organized-Early and Late • Roam Around-Arriving and Leaving • Post may change
Weapons at Church
• You should not carry guns, pepper spray, tasers or other devices, without permission.
• If permission is given, the devices must be carried and used within the law.
Weapons at Church O.C.G.A.16-11-127(b)ExceptasprovidedinCodeSec>on16-11-127.1andsubsec>on(d)or(e)ofthisCodesec>on,apersonshallbeguiltyofcarryingaweaponorlongguninanunauthorizedloca>onandpunishedasforamisdemeanorwhenheorshecarriesaweaponorlonggunwhile:(1) Inagovernmentbuildingasanonlicenseholder;(2) Inacourthouse;(3) Inajailorprison;(4) Inaplaceofworship,unlessthegoverningbodyorauthorityoftheplaceofworshippermitsthecarryingofweaponsorlonggunsbylicenseholders;
If Suspicious or Concerned
• Get assistance if you have a concern • Ask one or preferably two team members to assist • Do Not confront someone whose behavior
concerns you (suspicious) unless you have no other choice.
Plan of Prevention
NO amount of planning can stop someone from wanting to harm others, never the less having a plan of prevention and response can make your church a more difficult target and can help reduce the harm if violence occurs.
CONSIDERING THE RISKS • Every church has beliefs that may result in
threats vandalism or violence. • Churches with schools may be targets for that
reason. • If a church is thought to provide food, lodging
or financial assistance it can attract people who are disturbed, resentful or desperate, as well as criminals. If a request for assistance is denied , there may be a violent reaction.
• Churches that attract attention, even for positive reasons, can also attract those who want to commit a crime or do a violent act.
Human Risk Factors • If there is a family conflict, it may continue at
church. • Former church members may have grievances
and become violent, about them, even years later.
• Someone who was once asked to leave may come back to get revenge.
• Someone who feels rejected or criticized by even one church member may react violently toward the entire congregation.
Human Risk Factors
• Divorces, separations and child custody issues may create violent conflicts.
• People who are ill or on medication, or who have mental illnesses, can react violently for no logical reason, or because they think they are doing the right thing, getting revenge or simply making themselves famous.
Planning For The Risks If you are ever tempted to think security planning is unnecessary, do this: The next time you are at church, look at all the people, of all ages, who are laughing and talking in the lobby, kneeling in prayer in the sanctuary, or enjoying refreshments in the fellowship hall. Then, ask yourself what you and the other greeters/ushers would do if one of the violent events you have read about or talked about were to happen right at that moment. It’s a chilling thought!
Planning For The Risks • What should the first team member who
becomes aware of a problem, do? • Who will help the them and who will warn
the pastor and congregation? • Who will call 911? • Who will lock the doors to keep an assailant out,
and is that possible? • Who will guide people to safety and how will
they do it?
Basic guidelines for church members response to a violent or
threatening situation
1. Getdown2. Getoutifpossible3. Gettoasafeplaceandstaythereifyoucan’tleaveimmediately.
Basic guidelines for church members response to a violent or
threatening situation
4. Get help by calling 911 or asking someone else to do it.
5. Guide others by directing children, the elderly, guests or others to get down, get out through the nearest exit, or get to a safe place and stay there.
Inform the pastor about potential problems
Members should inform the pastor immediately if there is a risk issue, such as potentially violent conflict involving the family, neighborhood or work, or about stalking, threats or child custody conflicts.
An alert word, phrase or signal
Consider establishing an alert code word, phrase or signal for G/Us and members of the congregation to use if they want assistance or for 911 to be called, about cannot ask openly. This security technique can be helpful in a variety of situations if used correctly.
PLAN AHEAD
• Assigned responsibility • Observe with purpose • Hands and body first • Limited entry areas after services
start • Security walk-through inside and
out
Look For Indicators or Unusual EmoGon
• Anger or rage • Crying • Unusual laughter or hilarity • Nervousness, sneakiness or
evasiveness • Fear or panic • Out of control or “wide-eyed” • An unusual absence of any emotion
Look For Unusual Behavior • Running up to the door. • A grin or smile that seems inappropriate for the
situation. • Intoxicated, drugged flustered or confused. • Carrying or wearing a bag or backpack,
especially if it looks stuffed full. • Note: A frequent action of those who have a
concealed weapon, explosives or drugs, is to touch the area, or keep a hand in the pocket or bag where the items are hidden.
Remember
• Thebestsecurityisawareness.• HaveaplanandpracWceit.• Preparefortheworstcasescenario.• KnowthatgoodsecuritycanbeinplacewithminimalintrusiontothecongregaWon.
• Thereisnoassurancethataviolentepisodecanbeavoided.BytakingresponsibilityforthesafetyofyourChurch,youwillhavedonethebestthingtopreventit.
Additional Resources • Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/office-of-partner-engagement/active-shooter-incidents/emergency-plans-for-houses-of-worship https://www.fema.gov/faith-resources https://www.justnet.org/resources/Houses_of_Worship.html https://idvoad.communityos.org/cms/system/files/Federal-Government-Resources-for-Protecting-Houses-of-Worship.pdf
Questions/Comments
PresentedbyTroupCountySheriff’sOfficeSheriffJamesWoodruff