Church Security

Instead of ticking, deputies heard purring

Police Chief Peter Newsham said four local churches were damaged in clashes between Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter activists

Fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel can play an important role in the layers of safety that protect religious gatherings in the event of an emergency

An armed and trained security team is present at the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth anytime the building is occupied

Just as police planners would engage with schools and workplaces, they should engage proactively with houses of worship

How public safety officials can prepare faith-based groups for the commonplace and out-of-the-ordinary incidents that might befall citizens in their houses of worship

The gunman opened fire inside a packed church, killing one and critically injuring another before the congregants shot and killed him

The gunman shot the clergyman and bride during a wedding

The anxiety of one mass shooting after another has led some churches to start training and arming their worshippers with guns

Houses of worship have traditionally been places of refuge where strangers are welcome, but recent attacks have made many rethink how protected sanctuaries really are

I was ready to push my kids to the floor, jump over the pew, and run toward the threat with the intention of taking it out – or die trying

We must expect that religious facilities are primary targets, and take the active measures necessary to protect them from likely attack

The conclusion from examining these incidents is that good citizens, many of whom are lawfully armed, save lives in active shooter attacks

SHOW, released in October 2016, helps houses of worship develop a safety and security plan tailored to their specific needs