Tragedy’s Wake: Why Church Security Can’t Wait for the Next Headline
Turn awareness into action: Protect faith-based organizations from everyday threats.
Our attention to security tends to ebb and flow based on the occurrence of public acts of violence.
The public and dramatic assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk certainly got our attention.
But faith-based organizations are also likely aware of other recent events that were equally devastating:
Last month, two children were killed and 21 injured at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.
In July, a gunman killed two people and injured two others at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky.
In June, a heavily-armed man attacked CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Mich., but was killed by security before he could inflict harm.
“Take domestic discord, existential angst, mental illness, and the classic battle between good and evil and you have the most fertile ground for violence: church. ”
WHILE OUR AWARENESS VARIES, THE RISK IS SUSTAINED
If awareness spurs us to create a more secure environment, that’s good. However, the threat to faith-based organizations is constant, regardless of our mindfulness of its reality.
Although some of the attacks mentioned above appear to be motivated by ideology (opposition to a political stance or theological creed), this is actually rare when it comes to attacks on houses of worship.* The majority of violence results from:
Robbery (25%)
Spillover from domestic violence (16%)
Actions related to mental illness or drug use (15%)
Spillover from a personal conflict (14%)
Events in the news may get our attention, but it’s the often-unnoticed, slight abnormalities in the pulse of daily lives that are more likely to turn deadly.
As the statistics cited above demonstrate, this could mean:
Accidentally encountering a violent person robbing your church or nonprofit.
A child-custody conflict at a day care or Sunday School.
A long-simmering argument bursting out in public.
Public-serving organizations must acknowledge these risks and progressively develop plans to respond to them.
“NOTHING” IS NOT AN OPTION
Unfortunately, a common refrain is, “We don’t have the resources to deal with any of those things.” What this is inadvertently stating is, “We’re willing to accept the consequences.”
Fortunately, there are multiple ways an organization can enhance its security. The response of a 1,200-member congregation will certainly be different from a church of 35. A food pantry will take a different approach than shelter for women and families. The important thing is to understand the reality of risk and to start – and persevere in – developing a plan that works for your environment.
Something is always better than nothing.
Our offering of “something” is a free e-book: “Church Security in an Age of Extremism.” This concise resource helps you understand the risks, develop a team, find training and enact a plan that works for you. It explains how to work with your insurer and coverage that may be beneficial.
Are there other ways we can be of assistance? Please let us know how we can serve you today.
“The only thing harder than planning for an emergency is explaining why you didn’t.”
*Source: Faith Based Security Network