Church Security
SWAT
A recent online event shared best practices for law enforcement collaboration with faith-based communities to improve security
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
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
In the video footage, gunshots can be heard ringing throughout the church building as officers close in on the source of the shooting
Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said that after the woman began shooting, both officers “engaged” and the woman was killed
A few blocks from the church, the fleeing driver threw a pipe bomb at officers who “saw the flames and could feel when the bomb detonated,” SFPD said
“No matter how and where one prays, every Californian deserves to be safe,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said after approving millions in funding for additional policing
Two suspects were arrested over the weekend in connection with the alleged threat to the local Jewish community
“When you are unable to run away or find a hiding place, you need to find a way to act and to fight back.”
The 70-year-old gunman sat by himself during a church dinner before killing three people
Worshippers and their pastor were credited with holding the gunman until police arrived
Police say churchgoers detained the gunman calling their intervention an act of “exceptional heroism and bravery”
The shooter was recently released from jail after he was arrested for assaulting a CHP officer, but under California’s so-called sanctuary state law, ICE is not notified when in-custody people are released
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
The new federal law provides $75 million a year, for the next five years, in grants for institutions to improve security measures
An armed and trained security team is present at the First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth anytime the building is occupied
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
We must expect that religious facilities are primary targets, and take the active measures necessary to protect them from likely attack
Just as police planners would engage with schools and workplaces, they should engage proactively with houses of worship
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
Officials say it’s essentially hiring an officer full-time, as opposed to relying on off-duty officers to assist the church
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