What is involved with Church Security?

Keeping a church secure is a necessity. It means keeping both the people and the property safe from violence, theft or any other threat. Church security demands making church safety a priority.

There are people who may not necessarily be armed but can still disrupt proceedings at church by being lout and/or assaulting a pastor or parishioner.

The most common forms of threats to churches are theft and vandalism. However, crimes of a more sinister nature – such as arson or assault – are becoming more common.

• What are the Dangers?

In many parts of the world, churches are prime targets for terrorism. This is caused primarily by religious conflict. Acts of terrorism may include gun shootings, bombings, arson, child abuse and kidnapping. Regular criminals may also target churches for burglary, theft, robbery, assault against members or the pastor himself or even murder.

There is a greater degree of church security when people can prevent, or at the very least anticipate any dangerous situation.

As religious conflicts as well as other social problems escalate, many churches are becoming targets of criminal activities – both criminal and otherwise, raising the demand for church security.

Assault, for example is becoming increasingly common. It can be a threat against the pastor, a staff member or a member of the congregation. For churches with a strong online presence, hack attacks are a real and pleasant danger raising a need for online church security.

• When the need for church security goes even higher

The risk of falling victim to any of these threats goes higher for any church that makes controversial statements or actions. This is because often attackers are trying to make a point. That is apart from thieves who are simply trying to make a buck. These are normally a relatively smaller threat to church security.

Most churches today are located in urban, densely populated areas. This means that it is impossible to know everyone that walks into the church premises. This means that all churches are vulnerable to some extent and require church security.

• What does Church Security mean?

A church is no longer safe just because it is a church, and parishes all over the world are waking up to that realization. Many have armed guards, police officers, and even undercover security personnel to blend in with the congregation while skimming the crowd for any suspicious looking activity.

There are firms that now specialize in offering church security. They assess just how vulnerable a church is, they design and install security systems specifically designed for churches, and they train ushers and clergymen on how to anticipate attacks and respond.

Church security from acts of terrorism and theft improves when there are mechanisms in place to ensure constant monitoring of the church premises. For example, the church can maintain a grounds man to make sure the grounds are always being monitored. CCTV cameras can be installed for better monitoring, as well as alarm systems especially for precious items.

Implementing church security against assault means having the ushers and any security people as well as the pastor trained for church security on how to handle violent or potentially violent people. Parishioners and pastors can relax when they have the knowledge necessary to avoid becoming victims.

There have to be trained staff on hand to handle any situation. All church staff and volunteers should also be screened and if possible undergo psychological profiling to ensure church security.