You may be familiar with typical church security services such as the cop directing traffic on your way in and out and the security check-in system in the children’s area, but church security goes far beyond what you can see from the surface.
Some of the most common threats a church may deal with are theft, intrusion, bomb threats, unruly demonstrators, medical emergencies, domestic disturbances and active shooter scenarios. Church pastors, staff, and volunteers must be prepared to manage any threat that may arise.
How to Be Prepared for Threats to Church Security
1.Protect and Monitor Children, Youth, and Service Areas
Having a good check-in system for your children’s department is crucial to keeping kids safe at church. When a child is dropped off, a random code should be generated for the parent or guardian which will be required to pick up the child.
Consider creating a triage team of doctors and nurses to assist with minor incidents before the arrival of police, fire or paramedics.
2. Train Church Staff and Volunteers on How to Handle an Active Shooter Scenario
In the instance of an active shooter, safety kits should be prepared with essential items like flashlights, floor plans and radios. An Emergency Action Plan should be created with an evacuation route outlined, and designated individuals to alert authorities. Have your employees fill out an emergency contact form upon hiring. When an incident occurs, have a designated team of people call individuals on the contact lists. Conduct active shooter drills that simulate a real scenario–getting local police involved with these drills is always a good idea. Read more about how to prepare your workplace for an active shooter scenario.
3. Create Security Protocols
Having a good communication system is vital for safety during emergency situations, and during normal working hours. For church security purposes, set guidelines such as using walkie-talkies to communicate. This is much safer than using cell phones during an emergency scenario, and you don’t have to rely on a signal.
As part of the hiring process, require all staff members to have a thorough background check. No matter the department, every individual should be evaluated for potential threats. Instead of using a free service, spend a little bit more money to get a high-quality assessment that will check all necessary angles of an individual’s background.
4. Obtain Executive Protection for the Pastor
As an executive, the Pastor is the face of your church, which also means more attention and possibly higher threats. Don’t make the mistake of using a church member with a handgun license as a bodyguard. USSS has trained, qualified and professional agents to ensure the protection of your pastor.
5. Mission Trip Logistics
More than likely, your planned mission trips are across the globe, and often attended by youth and young adults. Other countries have regulations that you may not understand or even be aware of, and large groups like these can often become a target. To ensure everyone’s safety, you should have a security plan for airline and in-flight emergencies, hotel and local travel policies, sexual assault prevention training, medical assistance readily available, hostage survival basics and training in understanding terrorism.
6. Planning & Security for Special Events
Special events typically draw a crowd, which means an increased threat for your church and its visitors. Make sure to have security on site during large events, and create a security plan ahead of time. Making a plan beforehand will examine possible threats, especially if high-profile visitors are attending your event. During the event, security personnel should have a management and coordinated action plan established.
Keeping your church safe is vital to the growth of your congregation. When members and visitors feel like they are in a safe environment, they will want to keep coming back. Contact USSS today to ensure that your church is getting the most detailed and professional security service available.