1. Safeguarding Places of Worship Investigator Bryan Clanton Corporal, Internal Affairs Office of the Chief Special Response Team Griffin Police Department

2. Are you safe enough to worship in the manner you choose?

3. Security within the Christian church is a very misunderstood concept Many believe that security does not belong in the church; that it somehow undermines God's sovereignty The Bible clearly tells us to "...foresee danger and plan ahead..." (Proverbs 22:3), not once, but three times. Security is not all about guns, guards, and metal detectors. It is a complete program that, when properly implemented, does not hamper the openness and inviting feeling the church should have. Security is about being prepared and bringing peace.

5. 6/9/10-Huntingdon County, PA: Church Burglary in Huntingdon County

6. 6/9/10-Anchorage, AK: Burglary and vandalism at local church

7. 6/8/10-Wayland, MA: Church Workers Charged With Stealing Collections

8. 6/7/10-Wareham, MA: Burglar breaks into Wareham church, steals pastor's wallet

9. 6/7/10-Hamlin, AR: Cross Used To Beat Elderly Woman To Death In Church

10. 6/7/10-Meridian, MS: Church Burglarized Again

11. 6/7/10-The Colony, TX: Burglars strike trio of churches

12. 6/6/10-Wilmington, DE: Del. Man Charged With Robbing Elderly Woman

13. 6/6/10-St Paul, MN: Police Follow Church Robber’s Blood Trail

15. 6/3/10-Lexington, NC: Church is dismayed about theft suspect

16. 6/2/10-Huntington, WV: Holy Spirit Orthodox Church reported several things stolen from its storage building

17. 6/2/10-Lowell, MA: Mass. woman charged with stealing from church

18. 6/2/10-Newnan, GA: Suspect in string of church burglaries arrested

19. 6/1/10-Hillcrest, NY: 3 Fenton burglaries may be related

20. 5/31/10-Tulare, CA: Abundant Life Center pastor hopes for trailer's return in Tulare

22. Noted that places of worship are behind the curve compared to the secular world

23. Deficiency is in security and emergency preparednessEven though church members want to see their churches as “open” and not as fortresses with uniformed guards, CCTV cameras, lights, alarms, and controlled access, you cannot ignore the security risk forever. THERE MUST BE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR CHURCH!

25. Peaceful

26. Forgiving

27. Leaders will treat crimes such as burglary less harshly

28. Not willing to prosecute violatorsThe image of your church as a site free from fear and anxiety can be preserved while increasing security measures.

29. Passivity The burglars will return if the church is passive in its pursuit of criminal prosecution. Mosquitoes, alligators, and criminals tend to return with friends if they are just simply shooed away.

30. WHAT DO THEY WANT? Places of worship have… Art Libraries Equipment Office Supplies Musical Instruments Furnishings Appliances Flat screen TVs Computers Sound systems Motor vehicles

32. Events calendars at the site and online are easily available

34. Random visits by staff and members

35. Schedule various people to stop by at various times

37. Parking lots

38. Restrooms

39. In the halls during classes

40. Any other locations on site where children and teenagers would go before, during, or after their activitiesSecurity measures must be in place for all activities for those under 18 years of age and the pick-up of children should be supervised to ensure that children are leaving with their parents or authorized guardian.

41. Also, you must consider your programs for the homeless… Security must be a component for these activities as well! Have a security component present during: Programs Classes Soup lines Food distribution Utility assistance

42. Recent poll of church security Of the 4,000 churches that were contacted for this poll: 75% admitted to having no security measures in place 22% responded with “Security is not necessary” This complacency creates a situation in which the church becomes vulnerable because criminals know what targets are easy. If they wanted to work hard, they would probably not be criminals.

44. Theft

45. Any crime against one’s personIt doesn’t matter where you; there are risks. It could be within a gift shop if you have one, during carnivals, fundraisers, or offering collection.

46. Before, after, & during offering…. Every church has to have it, right? Before Select collectors/ushers based on a background check Develop plans and responses to threats before they occur During Have security in place monitoring entrances and exits After Never allow someone to deliver the offering to the office, safe, bank, etc alone Always have at least two people handling the transportation of the offering

47. High profile or controversial members or visitors Whether they are 20-year members or just visiting, they could be potential targets for violence or retribution.

48. Don’t forget about these… Weddings Baptisms Funerals Rites of initiation Graduation ceremonies Any third-party use of your facilities Targets? Purses Cameras Vehicles Former romantic interests

49. A few ushers are not enough! More than just lay people need to be in charge of security. Administrators need to know: Who among the attendees is a registered sex offender Who can monitor or escort the offender to restrooms or facilities near potential victims A good and active welcoming committee is not only good for bringing people into your church, but is also a frontline deterrent for criminals.

51. Storms

52. Hurricanes

53. Earthquakes

54. Prolonged power failuresShould people go home, stay at home if applicable, or seek shelter? For shelter you will need plans and resources for adequate supplies of: Water Food First Aid Supplies Cots Sanitary facilities

55. Evacuation plans and drills must be conducted for… Natural disasters Fires Active shooters Crimes in progress Medical emergencies Lost or missing children

57. Access control (keys, passcards, passwords, codes to alarms)

58. CCTV cameras

59. Motion detectors

60. Window film

61. Crisis management teams

62. Security teams (I prefer safety teams)

63. Liaisons with police, fire, and EMS

64. Risk assessments

65. Background checks must be done on anyone working with teens and children. Checks should also be done on anyone who has a position of responsibility-volunteers or staff. It is recommended to do them annually.

66. Financial control up to and including audits

68. Intelligent

69. Capable of being alert for extended periods of time

70. Willing to commit to training

71. Dependable

72. Trainable

73. Capable of handling a stressful crisis situation

74. Both sexes since it will cause some embarrassment if a male goes into a female restroom to “check on things”

76. Understand that L.E.O.s usually need down time to be away from “work” You can help and minister to them by doing the following… Discourage staff and church members from constantly asking for “tickets to be fixed” Discourage staff and church members from asking about “what happened out on such and such road at 2:00AM the other night” Realize that they may not only serve professionally at work, but may also volunteer to their community through work. They may only want to worship at church so that they can recharge Be willing to support them if enforcement action is needed within your church. Don’t use them to stand up to a threat so that they can be “the bad guy” and the staff can take the easy way out Based on their experience as LEOs, listen to them if they perceive a threat within your congregation. If they’ve been a cop long enough, they survived for a reason.