Unfortunately, there is no single strategy or preventive measure that will ensure that a church will not be a victim of a violent crime or traumatic incident. However, most security professionals concur that being prepared to respond to any negative occurrences is an important and necessary first step.
Hoping and praying that your church and congregation are safe from victimization is not a viable option! Criminals do not respect the sanctuary. They seek out easy targets that will allow them the opportunity to commit crime. Doing nothing invites criminal opportunity.
A critical and essential element in the building of a comprehensive church crime prevention plan is the initiation, organization, and development of internal duties and responsibilities… the development of a “Church Security Ministry”. Proactive security strategies must begin with the church assigning responsibilities for crime prevention and security oversight. Without this type of oversight, all the security technology that money can buy will be ineffective.
The primary purpose of organizing a formal planning and oversight authority is to:
Place responsibility
Develop polices and procedures
Ensure compliance
Facilitate training
Review and update policies and procedures
The committee (in some cases, individual) should consist of lay members and church administrators. Due to other responsibilities and the time commitment of the Safety Ministry, the senior minister may not be able to serve of this initiative. Key members should include: ·
1. Church leaders with sufficient authority
2. Office staff representative
3. Day Care, Pre-school or other youth/children education representative
4. Volunteer coordinator
5. Maintenance staff (no one knows the church layout or nuances of the church better than a maintenance worker).
6. Law enforcement members
* Be cautious of developing a false sense of security because a police officer attends your church
7. Security professionals
8. Lawyers
Tasks
Develops church security policies and procedures:
1. Crisis response planning
2. Shelter in place planning
3. Evacuations
4. Responding to disruptive individuals
A). The debate regarding the presence of guards or armed guards in the sanctuary has created a variety of emotional responses and outcomes. The Safety Ministry, in cooperation with the senior minister, should address this issue and decided what direction the church should undertake.
B). Responding to criminal occurrences
C). Active events
D). Reporting suspicious behavior If you are interested in this topic, you can download a article, “What Exactly Is Suspicious Behavior”, that was written by two of CPTC founding members (and published in the Winter 2009 edition of National Association of Church Business Administrators, The Legion) by accessing www.cptconline.com under the resources tab.
E). Reporting criminal occurrences
F).Volunteer Screening
G). Background Checks (please keep in mind that only 10% of pedophiles that were arrested had criminal records)
H). Restrictions
I). Limitations
J). Monitor cash management systems
K). Collections
L).Counting
M).Deposits
N). Petty Cash
O).Audits
Interact with insurance and risk management representatives
1). Insurance premium reductions may be available
Ensure that established policy and procedures are adhered to
1). Can’t “talk the talk unless you can walk the walk”
2). Includes senior minister and staff
Review and establish key control and access management procedures
1). Key control has been identified as the “Achilles Heel” of church security…and rightly so!
2). Staff identification
3). Visitor registration and identification
4). Opening and closing procedures
5). Delivery procedures
Develop inventory control practices
1). Ensure that all items of value within the church are properly marked for identification
2). Ensure that all items of value within the church are properly photographed
3). Ensure that duplicate records are available off site
Assist in a comprehensive physical security survey of the church and implementation of recommendations
1). A site survey is a critical first step in developing a comprehensive security plan. The survey can provide a blueprint of current status and offer recommendations for improvement (target hardening).
Develop security policies and procedures for ushers and greeters
1). Making eye contact with guests serves two important purposes. First, it makes visitors feel welcomed, and secondly, to the visitor that may have an agenda it sends an unmistakable message that the greeters know their own premises and can be identified.
2). In the retail sector, customer service is the number one deterrent to shoplifting offenses. This same philosophy can be utilized in the church setting.
Train all employees, volunteers, and members in their role in keeping the church safe
2). Security is everyone’s responsibility, from the senior minister to the once a month member.
Develop, maintain, and serve as a direct liaison with local police or sheriff
1). Crime trends
2). Crime alerts (fraud occurrence in the area)
3). Information exchange
4). Technical resource (security survey)
5).Relationship building
6).Participate in local neighborhood or business watch programs
A). Offer church facilitates for meeting purposes
7). Develop internal church watch program
A). Congregation takes an active role in protecting premise
1). Drive-bys
2). After hours inspection
Oversee the use of security guards or off-duty police
1). Traffic control
2). Special events
3). Liability
Periodically monitor the local and state sexual registry
1). Know who is in your neighborhood
2). Know who is in your church
Develop and coordinate church fraud protection policies and procedures
1). Scammers target churches because they know they provide benevolence
2). Cash vs. value cards
3). Recording and verifying need
Develop, organize, and coordinate a “safety team”
1). Safety team consists of volunteers who actively patrol church facilities and grounds during church service and events
A). Including parking lot
2). Have knowledge and ability to summon emergency first responders
3). Respond to emergencies (training in CPR, first aid, emergency defibrillator use would be beneficial)
4). Ability to communicate with each other
5). Radio Shack has an inexpensive hand held radio system
6).Identifiable vs. Uncover
Assist in the development and implementation of a church emergency media response protocol
1). In today’s society, “no comment” is an admission of guilt
Provide operational oversight for ministry integrity protection
1). Physical harm
2). Allegations
Coordinate with senior church leaders
1). Act as liaison with other church committees and ministries
2). Leadership and service
A church body should not worship in fear, nor should the worship experience be altered to the point of distraction from guard dogs, metal detectors, or armed security officers guarding the entrances to the sanctuary. Being prepared for the “worst’ can go a long way in preventing negative incidents occurring in your church.
Having established security procedures and having the church body prepared for the worst will allow church leaders to respond decisively and possibly mitigate harm or physical loss.
For additional church focused crime prevention information or for information about hosting a Crime Prevention Training Concepts House of Worship Training Workshop, please refer to our website, www.cptconline.com.
