Security at Church

Questions and Answers Related to Church Security

2012-02-25T11:41:00.000-05:00

Over the next week, I plan on posting multiple pieces of information from different sources that will address parts of the below concerns. I recently had a reader write in to me asking the below questions.

Please keep in mind that we will not always agree with the other persons opinions. Even within the professional security community we have different ways of doing things! What we can do is learn from others experiences and thoughts.

I encourage you to comment on the below information and upcoming posts. If you disagree with a point of view, please explain how you would do things differently rather than just comment on the other person being wrong. Happy reading :-)

You can always email me directly at brian@securityatchurch.com

Below is a portion of an email that I received:

"I'm most interested in how to respond to an active shooter, especially a terrorist who is bent on maximum casualties. While classes on other security issues are helpful, this is what I'm most interested in seeing for lay person CCW permit holders."

1. A recommendation on particular programs that includes at least some basic tactical firearms training for church environments.

2. Class should also include discussion of legal and insurance issues.

3. A discussion of ammunition choices. (Example: Frangible to avoid ricochet and over penetration problems)

4. How to respond to a shooter who may be wearing body armor, and how to know he may be wearing it.

5. The earliest possible detection of a possible shooter and how to rapidly make other members of the security team aware of it.

6. How to prevent being mistaken as a bad guy and being shot by the police when they arrive on the scene.

7. What to do in the aftermath, esp. about the shooter himself (is he really down, should you approach him, etc.)

8. Watching out for multiple shooters, including ones who may be waiting outside for people who try to escape out doors.

9. Anything else you think may be relevant.

Giving More Than Intended

2012-02-24T08:35:00.005-05:00

Note: I received this article last week and was asked to pass it on the the readers of Securityatchurch.com. I hope you find it helpful! As always, please leave your comments and share your thoughts and opinions.

Ten Steps to Protect Faith Staff and Volunteers while Providing Charity Services

By: Johnny Lee, President of ePanicButton and Director of Peace@Work

In October 2007, in a small city in eastern North Carolina, two women were stabbed at the Lakeside Baptist Church by a man whom they were trying to help. Program Director Debbie Kornegay and Asst Director Eve Beasley were preparing food for the Meals on Wheels program when a drifter, Tommy Lee Holiday, somehow obtained access to the women in the Fellowship kitchen. According to Kornegay’s daughter who was contacted as they were looking for a shelter, he asked them for help in finding a place for the night. At some point, Holiday fatally stabbed Kornegay and critically injured Beasley in the course of robbing them. He then fled the scene only to be apprehended in a park and later convicted of the crime.

This tragedy highlights a unique risk that many faith communities are exposed to as a common mission is to provide charitable services directly to those in need. Soup kitchens, food pantries, clothing programs and other humanitarian services put faith member in contact with the public often with few security considerations.

The risks can be clearly identified. By nature of the charity, the population served are often in dire straits and extreme poverty and hunger can lead to desperate acts. Greater complications arise with the frequent issue of substance abuse and mental health problems which volunteers are rarely trained to manage. Charity-inclined volunteers, particularly the young and elderly, may be more vulnerable to perpetrators who are skilled in taking advantage of compassionate or generous attitudes. Higher risks are involved when providing services locally, often in high-crime areas. The worst part of these risk factors is that they are certainly going to be on the increase. The continued challenges of the economy will exasperate those already in need while also augmenting the overall numbers requesting help.

Prevention measures can limit exposure and be established through a series of administrative and behavioral controls. The following ideas are simply considerations that can be included in a formal, risk assessment and security development process.

~Set firm policies and standards for program delivery. Provide the service only at designated time frames and location. Prohibit providing services to those who just show up asking for help.

~Set the environment for program delivery with safety in mind. Remove high value items from view. Designate public restrooms. Maintain access control to the facility and clearly identify client area and staff/volunteer only areas. Prohibit taking clients to the back or storage room to find items or services.

~Develop boundary-setting guidelines that ban or suspend services to offenders who violate policy or act inappropriately. Inform them of expected conduct and follow through with consequences. Banning individuals may not only remove a problem client but establishes the reputation of program for no-nonsense behavior.

~Always work in larger numbers or at least pairs. Adequate staffing of events or programs is critical to maintaining safety as isolated and lone workers much more likely to be assaulted.

~Discourage or prohibit personal giving to clients. Often, program members or volunteers will develop a “special interest” in a client or family and provide services, materials and even money to them directly. A frequent scenario is a volunteer offering a handy-man project or yard cleaning job to a client in need. Discourage contact outside of the program delivery parameters.

~Train staff and volunteers in recognizing warning signs, defusing hostile behavior and setting boundaries for any inappropriate behavior. Aggressors are often calculated in their approach and will test targets on what behavior they can try. If impractical to teach everyone, train a few responsible members to monitor for developing situations and provide intervention support. Consider contracting professional security, off-duty officers or work with law enforcement to have booth or table at any community events.

~With respect to crowd control, if it is anticipated to have a large turn out, limit the number of clients in the program delivery area and/or set caps on services. A difficult encounter can ensure if supplies run out and crowd expectations exceed capacity.

~Consider some application process for in-depth services to be rendered. By obtaining the contact information of the individuals, a record is made which will support further investigation if required. Even background checks can be considered (seek your legal consul for guidance). {Background Information Here}

~Outreach programs providing services in the client community should be conducted in a safe location, provided by teams that arrive and leave together and done in conjunction with local representatives from the visited communities and/or law enforcement. Just as important is timing of services with evenings or Friday afternoons being more volatile.

~Finally, trust instincts. But if there is a sense of danger, a bad feeling about a location, person or exchange, encourage volunteers to listen to their gut and act accordingly.

The spirit of giving and charity should be honored and fostered. In truth, the vast majority of recipients are not a danger and are truly appreciative. While the need to give back can always be met through fund raisers, the appeal of giving directly will lead to such programs being offered. This service can be a true expression of generosity for those less fortunate but at the same time, the security, safety and well-being for everyone should never be compromised.

Johnny Lee, President of ePanicButton and Director of Peace@Work

Please join us March 15th, 2012 at 3:30 pm EST for a free, online webinar on Maintaining Security in Faith Institutions with Dave Benson of the Center for Personal Protection and Safety. Info - http://tinyurl.com/7463tcv

Boy Found Dead in Baptismal at Church

2012-02-23T08:33:00.001-05:00

From: IndyStar.com

{Indianapolis police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old boy Wednesday after they were told that he was found submerged in a baptismal pool at a church on Indianapolis' Northwestside.}

Click for Article

My Thoughts: This is the first time I recall seeing a story like this. It begs the questions... Accident or Not? Regardless, it should encourage us all to think about our baptismals and the safety precautions that are in place around them. Some churches have large baptismals similar to a hot tub or swimming pool, while other denominations simply have a large bowl for a sprinkling.

If you have a large baptismal...

Do you keep water in your baptismal when not in use?

Is your baptismal open or closed when not in use?

Is there a way to lock the lid of the baptismal?

Is the area monitored by CCTV?

TigerLight Full Information Video

2012-02-22T10:17:00.000-05:00

I have received multiple emails over the last few months informing me that my links to the TigerLight products were down. TigerLight has now reworked their online system and is back up and running. Please note: They are still working on a few link problems; however, you are now able to order and view all their products. Below is a YouTube infomercial on the product...

Click to Order TigerLight

Pastor Who Was Shot in Church Dies

2012-02-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

From: TheLedger.com

{LAKELAND | The Rev. Carl Stewart died Thursday at his home, five months after he was shot during a service at the Greater Faith Christian Center Church, officials said Monday...

During a Sunday morning prayer service on Sept. 18, Jeremiah Fogle, 57, of Lakeland, walked into the West Lakeland church and opened fire, deputies said.

Stewart and the church's chief pastor, the Rev. William Boss, were wounded. Fogle aimed the handgun at another minister, Derrick Foster, who disarmed him, deputies said.}

Click for Article

"Dear Pastor" - Think About It Series

2012-02-20T07:55:00.000-05:00

Note: If you are looking for scriptural references for your church security team or ministry, Carl has done a great job in compiling a list and giving us his thoughts on the topic.

Reposted with permission from www.carlchinn.com

Dear Pastor,

We know you may not understand those of us who watch for degeneracy where you naturally look for redemption. And because we want you to keep doing what you do, we don’t ask for you to become a security operator – we only ask that you take a moment to understand where we are coming from.

We know there is a prevailing culture in faith-based organizations that indicates we are in God’s hands of protection. We agree with that, but feel responsibility for active participation on our part for effective security. We know you like scriptural references for all church-related decisions and actions. We offer samples from both Old and New Testament with comments at the end;

Nehemiah 4:8-9, 13-18: They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

(13-18) Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did theirwork with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

I Chronicles 11:24-26: Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard. (See also II Samuel 23:22-24).

Matthew 2:12-15: And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.

Acts 17:10 & 15: (10) As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue…… (15)Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

I Corinthians 13:6-7: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Think About It…

Ø Nehemiah 4:8-9, 13-18: Please take a moment to look up Col. Dave Grossman’s narrative entitled, On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs. It will help you understand Nehemiah better. We too are sheepdogs and we are different – we get that. By understanding Nehemiah better, you will understand our heart of protection better.

Ø I Chronicles 11:24-26: So David had a body guard? No wait, he had an entire body guard team! This was the same David who said in Psalms 32:7 that, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” David made similar professions of his faith in God’s protection all through the Psalms (5:11, 12:5, 12:7, 20:1, 25:21, 34:19-22, 40:11, 31:1-3), but he still appointed real warriors with real bloodstains on their swords to be his bodyguard. This is no more of a conflict than Jesus telling his men to get swords (Luke 22:36) then correcting the situation when Peter used it at the wrong time (Luke 22:51). David recognized what we are asking you to understand about us. Our protection does come from God, just as our food, income and shelter do. But like our food, income and shelter (read Matthew 6:25-31) – He expects a little participation from us in the process of acquiring and managing that protection. We all believe Matthew 6:25-31, but we all shop for food and clothing and make sure we keep hydrated. We trust Him for the provision, but recognize we have responsibility in the process. Safety and security is the same way. We trust Him ultimately, but recognize our responsibility in the process.

Ø Matthew 2:12-15: Wow – speaking of God’s protection, don’t you think He could have protected the infant Jesus? Is it even possible that Herod could have killed the infant Jesus? There were angels all around. In fact it was an angel that told them what to do. Couldn’t they have made it there in time to intervene? While leaving the theological message to you, we recognize that God told the parents to take evasive action for the protection of that baby, the parents took their responsibility of protection serious, and Herod did notmake good on his plans to kill Jesus.

Ø Acts 17:10 – 15: In this glimpse into the dynamic developing church we not only see Paul & Silas protected by intentional strategy (moving them in the night), but we also see there was an executive protection detail (escorts). These escorts weren’t angels, they were men assigned for protection. But isn’t this just one chapter after reading of an earthquake and God’s mighty hand delivering them from prison? Did they lose faith that soon after that Devine intervention? I think not – like so many before, they too recognized the balance of the substance of things hoped for (Faith) and the benefits of active vigilance (Intentional Security).

Ø I Corinthians 13:4-7: This passage is our first policy manual suggestion. It describes the behavior we will always operate by as a security team. We do not delight in evil and hope we never come across it. But chances are we will, and when that happens we will always protect. In the meantime, we will also deal with all the lesser distractions, concerns and hazards common to any gathering of people.

Ø Pastors, Priests and church leaders, we know you feel sincere concern for our parishioners and staff. Even if you do not agree with this plea to implement intentional safety and security at our organization, we would never insinuate the safety and security of your church family is unimportant to you – we know it is. But we do hope you will recognize this request. We are sheepdogs – we won’t eat the sheep, we love the sheep. And we don’t want to run the ministry – we love to watch our leadership work. We just need to know that we are empowered by you to intercept when that occasional wolf comes prowling around. Most of the time we will be romping around making friends of anyone we can as we all work together towards the primary purpose of this ministry.

Ø While you are reading on this subject, a few other scriptures you may wish to consider are; Esther 8:11, II Kings 11, 17-19, Proverbs 22:3, Matthew 10:17, II Timothy 4:14-18. See what comments you may make yourself as you consider the security of this church family in light of these things.

Will you endorse us to establish and / or strengthen intentional safety and

Free Church Security Webinar

2012-02-17T15:52:00.002-05:00

Webinar: Maintaining Security in Faith Institutions

Date: March 15, 2012

Time: 3:30-4:30 p.m. EST

Cost: Free

Sign Up: Register here

Speaker: Dave Benson,Director, Global Security, Center for Personal Protection and Safety

Maintaining Security in Faith Institutions

Faith institutions are a sanctuary and place of worship with an open, welcoming environment. However, faith institutions also encounter the same security challenges and liabilities as any other non-profit, educational, government or commercial facility.

Because places of worship are prone to threatening, dangerous, and criminal activities, they're obligated to protect their clergy, staff, congregation, and students.

This webinar is excellent for anyone who works in a faith-based or ministry organization, or who is charged with the safety and security of people within their organization:

Children’s Staff/Volunteers

Pastor's Daughter shot at Fla. Church

2012-02-14T17:06:00.002-05:00

From: MSNBC

[ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A pastor's daughter was accidentally shot in the head at a church in St. Petersburg, police said.

Investigators told The Associated Press that Moises Zambrana was showing his gun in a small closet to another church member interested in buying a firearm. Zambrana reportedly took out the magazine of the Reuger 9mm weapon but did not know there was a bullet in the chamber.]

Click for Article

Note: Thanks Matt for the story!

Negligence... "Think About It"

2012-02-05T12:01:00.000-05:00

Reposted with permission from www.carlchinn.com

Another great article from Carl Chinn's "Think About It"

NEGLIGENCE?

My wife and I attended Joel Osteen’s Church in Houston on their anniversary event in 2009 when they had a record attendance. Coming from a mega-church we understand big crowds, but the 50,000 attendance event was unlike any church experience we had encountered before. I was there primarily to observe their security operations, which I found to be quite well done; subtle, friendly and ready -- as a security team should be in a church.

But even with a well-developed professional team like that of Lakewood Church – the largest church in North America – things happen.

We read the story this week of a church volunteer who was charged with one count of indecency with a child in 2011. Not only has a grand jury cleared him of the charges, but he is now suing Lakewood Church for $10,000,000.00.

The interesting part of the negligence lawsuit can be found in what the church is accused of not providing;

A> Proper training for security operators

B> Lacking Surveillance that could have proved his innocence

C> Poor internal investigation methods
D> Failure to take actions that could prevent such things from occurring

As with many lawsuits, the truth will remain clouded. We may never know the real truth of what happened or didn’t happen, because attorneys on both sides of this significant issue will spin and manipulate raw truth to fit their agenda. A little autistic boy (the alleged victim) and the accused are the only two who really know the truth. In the end, insurance will probably decide once again to avoid the drawn-out fallout by making an offer of settlement, and everyone will be sworn to secrecy so lessons learned for others have to be read between the lines.

But there are some lessons learned we can already observe.

Think About it...

As awful as sexual abuse is (among the most vile of things to occur in any environment), I can think of no greater assault than to be wrongly accused. The case of Christ is paramount in this category. When a charge is made, the accuser should be very certain of the accusation and process.

It is the duty of all security team leaders to confirm the highest professionalism from their team in all regards. Well-planned and documented training and drills should be a requirement not to be taken lightly. That training should include precautions regarding false accusations.

To have cameras of every angle of every room to confirm anything that may have happened or did not is an absurd suggestion. Having no cameras is reckless and provides evidence for a charge of no priority on safety and security. Cameras must be carefully thought through, prudently placed, and properly monitored with sensible viewing, storing and retrieval of video.

We can’t avoid every lawsuit. We can prepare carefully to make certain we have ample documentation and good standards. Again – always include an attorney and your insurance provider in the early stages of your security planning. What works well is to have an attorney in your church serve as a volunteer on your security team. Not on patrol – just as an advisor who is copied on all security team communications, and has a hand in policy development.

Choir Robbed at Gun Point at Church!

2012-01-20T06:41:00.002-05:00

From: The Post and Courier

{As the strains of "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" filled the sanctuary, a man with a long gun interrupted choir practice Wednesday in a Goose Creek church and made off with purses, wallets and cell phones.

"He yelled, 'Get on the floor! Get on the floor!' the whole time he was coming down the aisle of the church," said one of the nine robbery victims, 77-year-old Dorothy Causey, on Thursday.}

Click For Full Article

Church Worker Robbed at Knifepoint - Texas

2012-01-17T15:56:00.000-05:00

From: KXAN News

{FREDERICKSBURG, Texas (KXAN) - Fredericksburg police are looking for a robbery suspect whom they say pulled a knife on a church worker and demanded money...

The worker at the church, who asked not to be identified for safety purposes, said she came into work and was sitting at a desk when the door chime sounded, indicating someone had entered the building.

When the worker turned around, a man was standing there.}

Click For Full Story

My Thoughts: Story is a good example of needing a panic button at your reception desk!

"Think About it" - After

2012-01-16T14:54:00.000-05:00

Reposted with permission from www.carlchinn.com

"After"

Some trauma can be disturbing enough to cause one to remember life before, compared to life after -- “it”.

A deadly force incident in a church is painful enough to do that. We don’t expect to see blood, hear gunshots, smell smoke or feel the concussion of explosion in a house of worship. Our church is our sanctuary. When evil invades it, that day marks the separation of life before and after for those who were there.

If anyone is still living who was there in 1916 at the Mt. Tabor Church revival in Decatur, IL when Edgar Willis was shot by Henry Sharp, the sounds of gunfire are still fresh in their minds. The wounded survivors from the horrific 1963 16^th Street Baptist Church bombing that left four innocent little girls dead will never forget it. The angry darkness of smoke replaced the bright futures of 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. One of those little girls was decapitated by the blast lit by wretched hatred.

And the entire town of Daingerfield Texas changed on Sunday morning June 22^nd, 1980, when Alvin Lee King invaded the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church. An atmosphere of worship was shattered when he yelled “This is War!” and began randomly shooting into the congregation. Dressed in an Army helmet and 2 flak jackets he had an AR-15, and an M1 carbine (both with fixed bayonets), two handguns and plenty of ammo in a bag he carried around his shoulders. Before being stopped by men who carry the scars today (or are counted among those killed), he slew 5 people ranging in ages from 7-year-old Gina Linam up to 78-year-old Thelma Richardson. His surprise attack left Daingerfield residents asking not only why -- but how.

An 80-minute documentary is coming out soon regarding that incident. Take a moment to view the trailer at Healing a Broken Heart It will bring you face to face with the reality of evil, but more importantly will renew your faith by understanding the significance of redemption and forgiveness. My friend, Texas Police Officer Jimmy Meeks, (who was married in that church before the shooting)keeps a web-page dedicated to the Daingerfield Shooting.

Think About It…

View the Daingerfield Shooting website (http://www.safeatchurch.org/daingerfield-shooting.html) with your security team. Develop your own “lessons learned” as you consider the stories Jimmy carries there.

Plan to watch the documentary when it comes out, as a group activity with your team. The lessons learned go beyond the smoke and blood, carrying through more than 30 years of after-action relationships.

The perspectives we take away from such an event can change our lives and others. Will we let it destroy us or make us better? The choice really is ours. As David Works (see next bullet) says on his website, “When tragedy strikes, will you be left standing”?

David and Marie Works lost two innocent girls in the church shooting at New Life Church. Their response is a model for all. Not only did they meet with, embrace and forgive the good family the shooter came from, but they wrote a book of encouragement I strongly recommend: Gone in a Heartbeat -- Our Daughters Died...Our Faith Endures

In 1981 John Walsh was a Hotel Manager. His response to the horrific abduction and murder of his 6-year-old son that year, led him into a lifetime of well-known crime fighting from the civilian side that has international acclaim. His America's Most Wanted program is now responsible for 1,168 criminal captures world-wide. Though it didn’t have anything to do with a faith-based incident, Mr. Walsh’s response is a model for those who have come through any such trauma.

As Faith-based security professionals we try hard to never let anything like that occur at our place on our watch. But if it does, we still play an important role in managing the incident. We can’t promise security, but we can promise to be there and to be ready to protect and serve.

A criminal never thinks his act clear through. If he did, he wouldn’t do it. As mature men and women of faith, we must think things all the way through. No matter what happens, there will be an “after”. Handle it with care.

Church Sign - Beyonce Had Her Baby

2012-01-14T10:22:00.001-05:00

From: The Pilot

{Even a small Baptist church on a country road in Moore County can be a victim of the viral Internet.

A photo purporting to show Beulah Hill Baptist Church’s sign on the entertainment website TMZ sparked a flood of calls.

In the picture — beneath Pastor Curtis Barbery’s name and times for Sunday School and worship services — it looks as if somebody put up one of the messages frequently used on such signs. It capitalized on wide interest in the birth of singer Beyonce Knowles’ and rapper Jay-Z’s baby.

“Beyonce Had Her Baby, Satan Is on Earth,” it proclaimed in capital letters.}

Click For Full Article

Photo from TMZ... (Internet Scam)

Photo from The Pilot (Real Sign)

My Thoughts: Church security is needed in all types and forms. It seems that someone took a random picture from the internet and added a little photoshop. The picture went viral on the internet and the church was left with the aftermath. What would your congregation do if this happened to you?

Case Closed - Police Solve Stafford VA Church Thefts

2012-01-13T15:32:00.001-05:00

From: Stafford Country Sun

{STAFFORD — A 24-year-old man has been arrested for thefts that occurred recently at three Stafford County churches.

Bryan Christopher Stevens, of no fixed address, was charged with three counts of breaking and entering, three counts of grand larceny, obstruction of justice, unlawful entry and theft of services, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.}

Click For Full Article

Church Institutes New Rules After Volunteer Arrested - Child Molestation

2012-01-13T06:30:00.000-05:00

From: The Arizona Republic

{A few hundred concerned parents gathered Wednesday night after a Valley church youth volunteer was arrested on suspicion of child molestation.

The meeting at Highlands Church in Scottsdale was a way for parents to get details about the accusations directly from the detectives working on the case as well as to ask questions...

Now all volunteers - even parents - will be the subject of background checks. Previously, the church conducted checks only on volunteers who worked with children younger than sixth grade.}

Click For Full Article

My Thoughts: As you read this article you will notice that the volunteer did not have a prior record. This means that the background check would not have produced a result. Regardless of this, I think that the church is making a good decision to change their policy.

12-year-old Boy Dies From Fight At Church

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

From: NewsOK by The Oklahoman Replica

{CORDELL — A 12-year-old boy is dead after getting in a fight at a church on Wednesday, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reported.

Lane B. Madison died after the fight at First Baptist Church of Cordell... Madison had been in an altercation with a 13-year-old boy after a youth service}

Click For Full Article

2012 Church Security Conference - NOCSSM

2012-01-12T19:35:00.000-05:00

Church Security Conference

May 11-12, 2012

Carrollton, TX

Hosted by: Covenant Church

Click here to go to conference web site

(From NOCSSM)
Fellow Members and Supporters,

Each year we try to bring you a church security conference that is worth traveling to.

You want to hear and see the latest developments and strategies that will make your church more secure.
You want to bring back intelligence that will better equip you to deal with the issues we deal with on a weekly basis.
You want the tools to make you more effective and given the upper hand against those that would victimized the church and its people.
You want to feel revitalized in your battle against evil.

Well, here it is! The 2012 "Called 2 Duty" Church Security Conference.

Don't miss your church's chance to attend this groundbreaking event.

The early-bird discounts end March 15, 2011. Reserve now!

President and Founder,

Chuck Chadwick

NOCSSM

Theft During Church Service

2012-01-12T06:30:00.000-05:00

From: WGRZ News

{BUFFALO, NY--Buffalo Police are looking for a suspect wanted for taking a wallet during a church service...

Officers say a woman had her wallet taken from her purse while the purse was on a church pew.}

Click For Full Story

My Thoughts: This is not the first story that we have seen related to wallets or purses being stolen from churches. I have a personal story that related to this occurring. A little over 10 years ago my brother got married. During the wedding all of the bridal party left their purses in a room that was being used to get ready for the ceremony. During the ceremony all of their purses had the money and credit cards stolen from them.

As Carl Chinn would say... "Think About It"

Everyone at the church was preoccupied with the ceremony. The culprit knew that they had a open window to commit the crime. The bridal party would be pre-occupied till the ceremony was concluded. It was the "perfect crime".

The Sunday service is very similar. The culprit knows when the service is starting and when it ends. People tend to think that church is safe and will leave their belongings on a chair or in a pew while they walk out and visit friends or go to the restroom.

Recommendations: Make it a regular practice to remind your congregation to not leave their belongings unattended. Train your ushers and staff to be on the lookout for this type of behavior. They can often remind people to bring their valuables with them and prevent a crime from occurring. Video surveillance is also a great option to help identify the culprit after a crime has occurred. You want to be sure that the "wolf" is not continuing to live within your congregation!

Double Shooting at Texas Church - Murder/Suicide

2012-01-11T20:09:00.000-05:00

Breaking News! Two Dead in double shooting at Catholic Church in Texas!

From: KSAT News

{Helotes, Texas - Helotes police say the double shooting at a Catholic church there was a murder/suicide.

The shooting occurred just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church off Riggs Road and Highway 16.

Helotes police Lt. Elliot Rodriguez said police received a call for shots fired at the church and when they responded, they found the front door locked and they could see two bodies inside.}

Click For Full Story

Update on Missing Gaithersburg Girl

2012-01-11T19:57:00.001-05:00

Unfortunately, I do not have details to the story; however, I was notified today that Alyona Joy Mayo has been found and is reunited with her family.

Special Thanks to all who passed on the information!

New Endorsement - Dr. John Kim Cook

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

I recently received the below endorsement from Dr. John Kim Cook. Thanks for supporting this website!!

Dr. John Kim Cook
-Director of the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush

"Brian Gallagher is the consummate security professional with not only a broad knowledge base but an eternal perspective. Whether the topic is emergency preparedness, physical or cyber security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure protection, threat assessments, or securing houses of worship, Brian has developed an unique awareness and understanding of the security challenges facing our faith-based institutions during the 21st Century. He is able to evaluate security threats and tell the truth in an honest yet gentle manner. Brian is armed with strong federal expertise in law enforcement, keen spiritual insights, and impeccable character."

Dr. John Kim Cook Biography

A government and private sector consultant with recent experience as a senior-level government executive, Dr. John Kim Cook is an accomplished, skilled, visionary leader with a demonstrated ability to develop sound policy and quality programs. He has more than ten years of experience in state and federal government, a decade in higher education administration, and a wide range of expertise in homeland security, emergency management, civil rights and civil liberties, education, labor, human services, disability and faith-based initiatives. Dr. Cook is highly regarded as an approachable yet persuasive, resourceful problem solver with excellent presentation skills and strategic public and private sector relationships. Dr. Cook is currently President and CEO of Cook Strategies LLC, a Washington, DC area consulting firm specializing in winning homeland security and emergency management business development strategies, program management, government relations, training, and technical writing as well as policy issues such as civil rights and civil liberties, disability and human services.

Previous to his consulting role, Dr. Cook served for eight years as a political appointee in the George W. Bush Administration, serving most recently as Director of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI). He was also simultaneously designated by President George W. Bush as FEMA’s Small State and Rural Advocate. DHS CFBCI was established in 2006 to improve outreach and policy coordination for DHS and FEMA’s disaster preparedness and relief efforts, and to eliminate regulatory and programmatic obstacles to the participation of faith-based and community organizations in all DHS security and disaster-related activities. In this role, Dr. Cook planned and hosted a number of regional emergency preparedness workshops nationwide for more than 1,500 faith-based and community organizations and state and local emergency management officials in key urban areas to highlight effective practices among non-profit organizations, government funding opportunities, collaboration tools and other resources available before, during and following disasters.

Prior to his appointment at DHS CFBCI, Dr. Cook served as Senior Advisor to the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. There he developed and coordinated department-wide training programs for law enforcement officers and other DHS personnel on civil rights and civil liberties issues such as equal employment opportunity, detention standards for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, racial profiling, cultural competencies and Constitution Day. Earlier in the Bush Administration, Dr. Cook also served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy and Senior Intergovernmental Officer at the Department of Labor as well as Special Assistant in the U.S. Department of Health of Human Services' Administration for Children and Families.

In his native state of Texas, Dr. Cook was appointed by then-Governor George W. Bush to be Austin Director of the Texas Office of State-Federal Relations. He also served for more than a decade in higher education administration, spent a number of years in radio broadcasting, and worked for two members of the Texas House of Representatives.

Dr. Cook holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration and public policy from Texas A&M University, a Master’s in education administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Baylor University. Active in his community, Dr. Cook is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors for the National Disaster Interfaiths Network, a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Church Safety and Risk Management, and chair of the Eye of the Storm Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Relief Team at McLean Bible Church in Vienna, VA. He resides with his wife and two young sons in Northern Virginia.

Metal Thefts at Church: "Think About It" by Carl Chinn

2012-01-09T05:30:00.000-05:00

Reposted with permission from www.carlchinn.com

Metal Thefts at Church

We’ve all heard the stories of copper theft. While copper isn’t the only valuable non-ferrous metal, it is that of the most abundance and a current cash cow.

Copper as a trading commodity, is now bouncing around $3.40 / pound. Any time it is that high, copper prices go high in the scrapyards as well. Metal scrapyards (though watched carefully by law enforcement in most metro areas) are the pawn shop supply of metal thieves. Whether they are bringing batteries, copper, lead, brass, aluminum or stainless steel there is a scale waiting to calculate their payoff in green cash.

I have seen myself where brass hydrants were jerked out of an exterior wall by a chain hooked to a vehicle. I have seen rooftop air-handling equipment as big as the box on a moving truck completely stripped of all precious metals. Many hits around us are to churches.

In the Memphis area, copper thieves have hit six churches and a cemetery in recent weeks. Most of these were the common stripping (and thereby ruining) air conditioning units, but they also went under the crawlspace of a building and took all the copper piping.

An Edmond Oklahoma church hit recently calculated that the $240.00 worth of copper stripped from their three AC units came with a $9,000 repair bill for the church.

At one of the churches hit in the Brooksville Florida area the damage to 5 air-conditioning units is estimated at $100,000.00.

Every single day right now, I read about similar thefts form churches around the country.

Think About It…

Thieves still view churches as soft targets. In many cases of smaller churches, they know the building is unoccupied much of the time. Even in large churches, it is easy to see what days of the week or times of the night there is nobody around.

Your local security systems suppliers can install automated and / or local sounding alarms to go off should the panels be removed from AC units. This is a great deterrent.

Lighting is often a low priority in mechanical areas. Low light attracts thieves.

Like graffiti, metal damage should be taken care of quickly. If they steal a little bit and notice weeks have gone by without anyone seeming to care, it attracts the thieves to consider bigger targets at the site.

Report all metal thefts. There is a regrettable tendency in churches to not report crimes – especially if they are less than the insurance deductibles. Report all crime.

Outside security patrols should have it in their regular routine to check exterior equipment. A panel pried up can be an indication that someone has checked the copper content of a piece of equipment and is ready to come back and complete the project when they can get a vehicle (or whatever reason they may be waiting on). Such minor damage should be treated with high suspicion.

Police Search for Critical Missing Gaithersburg Woman

2012-01-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

NOTE: The below story is about a girl from my church who went missing this weekend. Last May we posted a similar story about a Boy who went missing from a sister Church in Washington, DC. That story ended with good news and we hope and pray that this one will too.

From: WTOP NEWS

{WASHINGTON - Police are searching for a critical missing adult from Gaithersburg who has not been seen since Saturday.

Montgomery County Police say Alyona Joy Mayo, 19, left her home in the 7400 block of Rosewood Manner Lane around 12:50 p.m. Saturday to walk to the Goshen Plaza Shopping Center.

Mayo did not return home and has not made contact with family members.

Police say the missing woman functions at the level of an 11 year old.

Mayo was last seen wearing a pink hooded jacket, blue jeans and brown shoes.

She is described as a white female, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.

Police say there is no evidence of foul play, but it is unusual for Mayo not to be in contact with her family or return home.

Anyone with information about Mayo should call the 6th District or the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.}

Photo: Montgomery County Police / WTOP

Sexual Predator Training Helps Catch Priest

2012-01-08T01:30:00.001-05:00

From: Reuters

{A Catholic priest already charged in state court with possessing thousands of pornographic images of young boys is due in a Pittsburgh courtroom on Friday on new federal charges, authorities said...

A parish employee who had undergone training to identify sexual predators allegedly saw Sorensen viewing child pornography on his computer and called the church child abuse hotline.}

Click For Full Article

My Thoughts: What caught my attention in this article was the part about the parish employee who had received training to identify sexual predators. I think this is a very important point that so many churches overlook. Sexual sin and sexual abuse is a concern that is plaguing our churches and places of worship. Take the time to give your church membership and leadership the proper protection it needs.

A second item of interest in this article was the fact that this was the second set of charges that this priest was receiving for child pornography. A good learning point is to insure that your church leadership is included in your screening when doing background checks. It is a good habit to re-screen everyone every couple of years.

Church Crime Spree - Tampa Bay

2012-01-07T00:49:00.000-05:00

From: Tampa Bay Times

{SPRING HILL — Just a week into the new year, Hernando County is already facing a crime spree — and some of the area's most benevolent organizations are the victims.

Thieves have stolen copper tubing from well more than 20 air-conditioning units, and among their targets, the criminals have raided three churches and a Veterans of Foreign Wars post.}

Click for Full Article

My Thoughts: If have you been following this website for even a short period of time you will notice that crimes like this are common occurrences for churches across the country. Criminals can make quick cash from construction material used in items like air conditioners, heaters, electrical wiring and alike. A well lit exterior and security cameras are your best protection against this type of crime.