Putting Together An Effective Church Safety & Security team

Putting Together An Effective Church Security Team

Once upon a time, the lack of peace and safety church leaders worried about, mostly happened somewhere else; Now, the rise in deadly shootings and other crimes has visited churches. Church leaders of many houses of God are seeing their need to prepare for the unthinkable. The ranks of those who say “It couldn’t happen here” have begun to shrink. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 declares that it is when men cry “peace and safety” than sudden calamity brings destruction.

Now, peace and safety has become a call to action. That’s why Secure-Family.net is here today. Don’t take church security lightly or it may be one of the last things you ever do.

For example:

Sept. 15, 1999 Church in Texas

Over 150 teenagers at church singing hymns.
Suspect entered and shot 14 people.
Ended up killing 7 people and injuring another 7 before killing himself.

March 12, 2005 Church in Wisconsin

Suspect opened fire on the congregation, killing 7 and wounding 4 before taking his own life.
He was described by people that knew him as a normal guy with no warning signs.

Dec 9, 2007 Church in Colorado

Suspect was asked to leave a youth center.
Returned, opened fire killing 2 and injured 2.
35 minutes later, he went to a church and killed 2 people.

March 8, 2009 Church in Illinois

Suspect walks into the church and shoots the pastor dead, point blank.
Several church members confronted the shooter with aggression and overpowered him.

March 31, 2013 Church in Ohio

A suspect killed his father at the church.
Afterward, he shouted about Allah and God.
The suspect was later arrested by the police.

December 2019 West Freeway Church of Christ

A gunman opened fire at 10am. in a Texas church on a Sunday, killing two people and injuring others before two “heroic” congregants shot and killed him at the scene.

This is just some of the hundreds of examples where someone walks into a church and starts shooting or otherwise causing havoc.

The Mentality of a shooter

He will continue until stopped. Primary motive is revenge or other motives.

Hatred, domestic or marital issues, child custody dispute, congregation dispute, denied services, disappointment in leadership’s decision, physical/mental illness, financial trouble, or just mad at the world. Or it could simply be anything.

Are there pre-indicators?

Key Findings:

Unless person communicates their intent directly, Predicting an active shooter incident is difficult and even More difficult in large congregations.

Planning.

The idea may brew for weeks or months
Pre-implementation 2 days prior to the attack
Higher risk on Sundays usually after church begins.
Can happen anytime but mostly 8am to 2pm

Causes & Categories

Difference’s of Religious Opinion/Ideology
Domestic Disputes
Youth Issues
Retribution
Mental Illness

Workplace violence

Prevention

“The best thing you can do to avoid injury and loss of life is prevent the attack in the first place.”

“When preventative measures fail, being caught without the means to defend yourself, even in a house of worship, is a mistake you might only get to make once.”

“Keeping Your Church Safe” by Ron Aguiar

Dr. Don Boys says, “Christians don’t shoot to kill. Christians shoot to stay alive.”

Considerations For an Effective Church Security Team

*1. Situational Awareness. (or knowing what is around you at all times) (Is. 21:6) “Situational awareness” can be defined as “paying attention to what is going on around you.” Awareness is a choice. One has to choose to pay attention. Remember, never put yourself in a situation Sufficient & proper training of volunteers, with annual updates in…

*you can’t see your way out of.

2. Verbal de- escalation of conflict when dealing with disruptive persons ( How to approach a disruptive person without putting them instantly on guard, or triggering their flight or fight response.) (Prov. 15:1)

3. Unarmed or non-lethal de-escalation (take the perp. down with pepper spray, stun gun, physical force, etc.)

4. Armed engagement (using a last-ditch effort to save lives).

Side notes:

*No one should be on a church security team without being properly trained in the 4 areas above .

*Everyone on a church security team should be properly trained in the use of their weapon.

*No one should be on a church security team If they are unwilling to use deadly force if necessary.

Remember, security can be balanced with a warm, welcoming environment at your church by using friendly greeters while keeping an eye out for the unusual.

More Suggestions for Keeping The Church Safe

Security cameras with someone monitoring them at all times during services & events is strongly sugggested.
Physical random patrolling of the parking lot and grounds around the campus during services & events( No one person should do this alone. Security personnel should always work as a team effort.)

Two way radio communication is strongly suggested. (With The chief of security monitoring all transmissions.)
Work with local law enforcement, if possible, asking them to Periodically and randomly Patrol the parking lot During service times and special event time periods.

Develop a church security plan as part of the security policy. Then Create a manual outlining the policies & procedures of your security program and make sure everyone concerned reads and understands them.

End Note:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”

James 1:19 KJV

www.Secure-Family.net

Don Woolett

(270)723-5184

NOTE:

Bro. Don Woolett is a member of the Hodgenville Pentecostal Church, Hodgenville, Ky 42748. He is a member of the HPC church security & safety team and holds credentials as a minister with the Free Pentecostal Church of God Association, Cincinnati, OH. He is an ordained Chaplain with Chaplains International, Inc. As a graduate of Sheepdog Church Security Academy, Bro. Don’s church and family security qualifications include US Army combat special operations, Security team fundamentals certification, Dealing with disruptive persons certification, Optimal situational awareness certification, Storms and Disasters certification, Mass Trauma Emergency certification, Basic Use of Force Laws certification, Active Shooter Response certification, Arson and Fire Safety Certification, Protecting Children from Abuse certification, Conflict resolution certification, Safety Member certification & training through USCCA, US Law Shield, University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine in general industry safety standards, & More. Bro. Don is also a published song writer and his wife, Debbie, writes & publishes Sunday School and Kids Church outline material. Bro. Don & his wife, Debbie, reside near Hodgenville, Ky.