Church Security

"With the uptick of terror attacks against religious-based organizations, the FBI held an informational meeting between law enforcement and religious leaders from across the country Tuesday, hoping to expand its programs to include places of worship." - W. Examiner

Related: FBI's news release

"The San Diego synagogue, Chabad Poway, had no security guards – it couldn’t afford them. An off-duty border patrol agent was among the congregants, and there are reports he both tried to disarm the shooter and then chased after him outside of the synagogue." - RNS

"Parents want to know that their child will be safe in your ministry. If they feel like it is not a safe place, they will not return." - Church Leaders

“Carl Chinn, founder of the Faith Based Security Network, a nonprofit that offers safety guidance to faith communities, said he is aware of more than 1,000 volunteer-run security teams in houses of worship in the U.S. Two hundred of them, in 34 states, have registered with his network in the past 11 months.” - NBC News 

(HT: Proclaim & Defend)

"'The attacks, they just don’t happen,' said Rozen. 'The perpetrator thinks about it, fantasizes about it, researches the target, visits the target, knows the schedule.'"  Shootings spur Minnesota faith groups to beef up building security

"The free training was created by Brooks Security Consulting and includes such topics as: -- Church safety and security -- Church security team -- Emergency response planning -- Lockdown procedures -- Responding to an active shooting" BPNews

Thom Rainer offers 7 steps.

Related:

The Alabama Senate has voted to allow a church to form its own police force. Lawmakers on Tuesday voted 24-4 to allow Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham to establish a law enforcement department. The church says it needs its own police officers to keep its school as well as its more than 4,000 person congregation safe. Critics of the bill argue that a police department that reports to church officials could be used to cover up crimes.