“But I will defend my house against marauding forces. Never again
will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.”
(Zechariah 9:8)
Looking back once again to the December 29, 2019 West Freeway Church
of Christ active shooter event, according to media reports (which may not be
accurate and complete), the perpetrator entered the church wearing a fake wig
and beard, hiding his face, and wearing a trench coat with outside temperatures
being 50 F. He didn't sit with anyone, continued to hide his face, and wear his
coat in the sanctuary.
The security staff recognized the suspicious behavior upon entry,
shared their concerns, positioned staff at several points, and monitored the
situation to take action. Following the start of the incident, video shows
congregants remained in place and security staff didn't holster their weapons
after the threat was neutralized and before police arrived.
Pre-event indicators can prevent dangerous incidents. If you can
identify even some of these behavioral ‘indicators’ there may be
opportunities to recognize threatening behavior and prevent such occurrences or
to lessen their impact.
1) Welcome and greet incoming attendees; make eye contact and engage
in conversation outside before entry.
2) Deny entry unless satisfied with verbal response and nonverbal
actions - be prepared to address potential violence outside building. If
suspicious behavior is observed, call 911 for immediate response.
3) If person is already admitted, seek to isolate or contain
potential threat with police present, if possible, even during the course of
religious services.
4) Educate the congregation on response to threatening situations in
church, workplaces, retail outlets, schools, anywhere.
I want to applaud the West Freeway Church of Christ security staff
for planning, staffing, and staying vigilant in protecting their church members
as well as taking action to confront the shooter so quickly and effectively.
Again, this is not Monday morning quarterbacking but an effort to
identify how we can learn from such events and recognize signs of threats—even
for just one second earlier.
By their very welcoming nature. Churches are more susceptible to
crime and other acts of violence.
The types of programs at churches can make them high-risk
environments, such as AA clinics, sexual addiction, and those that are being
rehabilitated from a former life of crime.
So what type of programs you have is what really drives a risk.
There are seven steps to protect your faith community:
1) Identify your security culture
2) Form a safety committee
3) Protect your perimeter
4) Conduct a Risk Assessment
5) Write policies and procedures
6) Train staff and implement a safety team
7) Everyone can help places of worship stay safe simply by being
aware.
Most often it starts with a break in the social boundary or
suspicious behavior. Anyone can go looking for a break in that social boundary
and then challenge themselves, “When I see that, what do I need to do?” “Who do I need to tell?” “How do I approach that person from a
position of grace?”
Finally, you've no doubt heard the saying at the airport, ‘If
you see something, say something.’ The
same holds true at churches and other non-profits as well.
Be safe!
Integrity Security Consulting
Russ Sharrock
405-762-2471 |
integrityseccon@hotmail.com
I have developed and made available to anyone interested, for FREE, a series of Security & safety forms that can
be printed for your use:
1) A Safety & Security Risk Assessment Form
2) Church Security Plan Template
3) Church Emergency Plan Template
4) A General Fire Safety Checklist
5) A Bomb Threat Checklist
6) A Bomb Threat Distance Chart: Includes various types of
explosive devises and to be referred to in an event of a bomb threat
evacuation. These are minimum distances to evacuate away from the area of
explosion.
7) Facility Lockdown Checklist
8) Child Protection Covenant
These MS Word documents can be adapted as necessary to fit your
church size and needs. I will be adding new forms as time allows.
For a copy of any of these FREE
forms, or if you have any questions, contact me and let me know what your needs
are.
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