Building A Comprehensive and Balanced Security Plan

Crime Prevention Training Concepts, LLC

Protecting Houses of Worship:

Building A Comprehensive and Balanced Security Plan

by:

William S. Carcara, CPP

Churches should be the safest places on earth; sadly they are not.  Every day churches across the country are victimized by criminal occurrences.  Some incidents, such as the recent fatal shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, are so dramatic that the event shocks our collective senses.  These tragic events, although only representing a small percentage of church based crime, spurs debate among law enforcement officials, security professionals, and church leaders concerning how best to protect a house of worship.

Churches represent a unique crime prevention challenge due to the very nature of a church. Churches are open environments; both from an attitudinal viewpoint and physically. Once victimized, a standard response is, 'Who would steal from God?' Regrettably, the answer is that there are many people who would.  Criminals do not respect the sanctity of a church.  They are only interested in finding an easy or soft target.

Protecting a church from potential criminal occurrences requires a balanced approach that integrates crime prevention strategies and security technologies with the overall mission of the church.  It is critically important to recognize that risk mitigation must complement the activities of a church and not interfere with the church’s outreach and service ministry.

If this balance is not employed, resistance and non-compliance are likely to occur.  Churches exist for a specific purpose and that purpose involves a number of activities that are in direct conflict with acceptable crime prevention methodologies. 

As we have observed with school-based shootings, preventing tragic incidents requires a combination of physical security features, electronic security mechanisms, environmental security strategies, and proactive policies and procedures.  Even with this matrix of security precautions, stopping an obsessed gunman is problematic.  Within a church setting, protecting the congregation is even more troublesome since a church is not going to be inclined to deploy the amount or degree of security features that are now commonplace in schools.

To be successful, any crime prevention or security based intervention must offer church leaders holistic initiatives that enhance the safety of the congregation and protect the physical assets of the church that do not distract from the ministry. To accomplish this balancing act, a comprehensive initiative must take into account the following variables:

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase One-Security Consciousness

An obstacle that many law enforcement officials may encounter when mitigating potential criminal threats at houses of worship is the belief that the church is immune from criminal attack.   The attitude that “God will protect us” is often the only security thoughts or recognition that exists.  Even the Bible spoke of “gate keepers” protecting the church!

Due to the recent tragic events that have occurred in a number of churches, this attitude is changing and church leaders are recognizing their vulnerability. A church’s mission is not driven by a sense of security consciousness.  They will always consider security as an after thought.  Law enforcement officials must understand this variable and work within the church’s acceptable parameters.

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Two-Accessing Risks

Risks can be divided into two large subcategories; internal and external, and one intangible category.  Determining what specific risk a church may encounter is a lengthy analysis that will require church leaders to think outside their comfort zones and orientation.  

Internal risks involve threats that exist inside the church campus or building.  A general rule of thumb is the more community outreach a church is involved in, the more potential risks that exist.

A pastor who initiates a divorce recovery workshop is, in his or her belief, offering a helping hand to those that are involved in the traumatic experiences of divorce.  From a crime prevention perspective, a divorce recovery workshop has the potential for domestic violence incidents. 

As we discussed earlier, a balanced approach to crime prevention is an absolute necessity.  We cannot tell the pastor not to offer the divorce recovery workshop due to possible domestic implications.  What we can do is provide procedural guidance that involves access control, increased vigilance and awareness, parking lot escorts, and training for staff and volunteer or visiting counselors.

Other site specific risks may include reliance on volunteers, opening and closing routines, gymnasium hours of operation, food pantries, benevolence or affinity frauds, cash management, property inventory, day care facilities, spatial hours of operation, population based concerns, church events (weddings, concerts, holiday services) and availability of desirable merchandise (musical equipment, computers, office equipment, and audio-visual equipment).  

Additionally, churches are iconic representations that in the past have resulted in statements of hate (arson and vandalism) and many homeland defense professionals have labeled them as soft terrorist targets.  The shooter in the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church incident projected his beliefs that church members represented ideologies that were responsible for his problems. 

External risks are those that occur due to the church’s physical location.  These risks include neighborhoods, traffic patterns, isolation and natural surveillance, areas of concealment, land usage (commercial, industrial, mixed use), parking lots, and off-site activities (mission trips, recreational trips, and in-home events).

The last category of risk involves the church’s reputation.  Decades of “good” works can be destroyed by a negative incident occurring on church property and media scrutiny.  Although protecting a church’s reputation is intangible, it still is an important variable that must be taken into consideration. 

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Three- Security Assessment and Survey

A threat assessment and security survey is an excellent first step in developing a comprehensive security plan.  A security survey and threat assessment is a critical on-site examination and analysis of a church that determines:

• The present security status
• Identifies security deficiencies
• Determines the protection needed
• Makes recommendations to improve the overall security of the church buildings

Pinpointing or discovering potential vunerabilities and correcting those deficiencies can have a dramatic impact upon a thief’s decision-making process.  Reducing opportunity for potential criminals is a fundamental aspect of proactive crime prevention.  A secure exterior may displace crime to a less protected facility.

Law enforcement officers trained in risk assessment and security surveys can be a great resource for churches interested in pursuing this option. 

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Four-Target Hardening

“Target Hardening” refers to the strengthening of the security of an individual premise with the goal of reducing or minimizing potential criminal attack, risks, or vulnerabilities.  The concept of target hardening does not necessarily imply a fortress or bunker mentality.  Simply put, the idea of target hardening is that a strong, visible defense will deter or delay a criminal attack. 

Target hardening is a means to reduce the opportunity of criminal attack by increasing the effort that a criminal must exert to accomplish his or her goal.  The more effort that is expended, the greater the risk and the greater the chance that the criminal will be apprehended   Criminals seek easy targets which minimizes the likelihood of being detected or caught. The more difficult the target, the more likely a potential burglar or thief will pick another property to attack.

Target hardening involves the application and use of:

• Access Control
• Lighting
• Alarms
• Locks
• CCTV
• Landscaping
• Signage
• Safes
• Inventory Control

Regardless of what target hardening applications that an officer may believe are necessary or desirable, the deployment of target hardening hardware or technologies must be acceptable to the church body. 

A CCTV system that protects the counting room may be acceptable to the church, whereas a CCTV system deployed in the sanctuary may be considered intrusive or offensive.  

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Five-Protecting the Financial Assets

The financial assets of a church transcend the actual monetary value of those assets.  Offerings by church members represent a tangible trust between the congregation and the church.  When those funds are misused, stolen, misappropriated or not utilized for the intended purpose, emotional repercussions frequently occur.  This can cause the member’s departure from the church body, ministers and staff being investigated, negative publicity for the church and ultimately a damaged reputation.

Cash management begins with the collection of donations from the congregation and concludes with the funds being used for their intended purpose. The first step in developing a financial security policy is to identify how money should be collected, counted, deposited, reported, and audited.  Each phase of this process is equally important since each represents an opportunity for theft or misappropriation.

Financial threats to a church include the crimes of:

• Robbery
• Embezzlement
• Theft
• Fraud

Each element of risk provides a separate obstacle and challenge when developing a cash management plan for churches. 

Crime Prevention officers across the nation have developed robbery prevention plans for commercial businesses for decades.  The same philosophy can be adapted to a church environment. Regardless if it is the collection of funds, depositing of funds, or the auditing of funds, traditional robbery prevention strategies can have a positive impact upon this particular vulnerability.

Robbery prevention transcends the Sunday collection.  Churches, depending upon the size of the congregation and amount of activities occurring, can have a wide variety of funds collected or dropped off at the church office every day of the week.  These smaller funds tend to be in cash increments.  Vending machines, mission trips, social activities, bake sales, book sales, and car wash proceeds can quickly add up and be an attractive target to thieves.  Traditionally, these funds can be maintained in a variety of methods from being stored in a shoebox in a secretary’s office to a small, easily transported moneybox. 

Another threat to churches is the increasing a number of churches across the nation that now allow members to utilize credit card payments and automatic checking account withdrawals as a form of giving.  These new forms of member giving represent the risk of identity theft or credit card fraud.  Protecting the information on a church’s computer is as important as protecting the computer from theft.

An additional and highly dangerous new threat that has been occurring is the robbery of congregations during services.  Strong armed gunmen storm a church congregation and proceed to steal the offering and rob the members of their personal funds, jewelry, or other valuables. 

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Six-Protecting Youth and Children

No single element of church based crime has received more media attention than the unfortunate occurrence of child abuse and molestation by church leaders and church employees or volunteers. These recent incidents have focused attention on the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of a congregation that has transcended any individual denomination.   

Parents allow their children to participate in ministry programs for the positive experiences of Christian growth, fellowship, and spiritual mentoring.  These experiences and the lives of all involved are shattered if a child is sexually abused while participating in a church sponsored event.

Sexual abuse is not limited to any racial, ethnic, or socio-economic class. Sexual abuse can happen anywhere.  The church is not immune to these types of crimes and it is the responsibility of every church to protect the children that are entrusted to them. Good intentions will not negate potential criminal occurrences.  

Even more troubling is that most churches are ill prepared to deal with this real fact. 

While a church cannot guarantee the safety of every child or youth, it is imperative that the church takes responsibility for reducing or eliminating conditions that could possibly lead to a physical or sexual assault.

Researchers have reported that sexual predators will gravitate to activities and organization where fewer protective measures are in place. If organizations such as 4-H clubs or the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have developed proactive policies, practices, and protocols for working with children and youth and the church does not, the church can be seen through a potential violator’s eyes as a fertile environment.  The church should champion methods for promoting a protective culture that is easily seen and obvious to parent and offender alike. 

Every church should operate within carefully tailored policies and procedures that balance the mission of the ministry with the inherent risks associated with children’s programming.

The following are model procedures that a church can utilize as benchmarks:

• Standardized application process for all employees and volunteers
• Oversight and Accountability
  • A person should have the designated responsibility of safety related management and monitoring all aspects of children and youth ministry.
  • Youth minister may or may not have sufficient time to devote to this task.
  • Training all workers (staff or volunteers) in all related safety related precautions and procedures
•  Background checks
  • Must verify applications forms
  • Does not verify whether a person is trustworthy or appropriate to work with children
  • Not a “silver bullet”
  • Less than 10% of sexual offenders have a criminal record so they will not be exposed through a criminal history check
• Restrict unauthorized individuals having access to children
  • Strangers
  • Non-sanctioned workers
  • Non-custodial parent
  • Older youth involved with the children’s ministry
    • Peer to peer abuse
  • Bathroom protocols for adult supervision
  • Chaperons for overnight events
  • Drop off and Pick up procedures         
    • Identification system
    • Child tag systems

• Activity standards

o       Two adult rule

o       Six-month waiting period

o       Enhanced visibility

• Windows
• Keeping doors open

o       Monitor

• Periodic and unannounced drop-ins
• Cognizant of signs of physical and emotional signs of abuse

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Seven-Proactive Strategies

A critical aspect in building a comprehensive security plan is the designation of a group of church members that will develop general security policies and procedures and crisis response plans, evaluate weaknesses, coordinate all safety concerns within the church, and ensure that the plans and procedures that the church initiates are adhered to.  That group, the Church Protection Committee, should be led by a staff member with sufficient authority to develop policies, enforce compliance, coordinate with others throughout the church’s administration, and act as a liaison with the public sector, insurance underwriters, security integrators, and local law enforcement and fire officials.

By establishing a centralized responsibility, the church is making a positive commitment to ensuring that all safety and security concerns are addressed in a coordinated manner.

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Eight-Media Response

Facing a high-profile crisis could have serious ramifications for your church for years to come. A church’s reputation, image and community standing are an important asset that requires protection.  In retrospect, protecting the reputation of a church is much more important than a thief breaking into the sanctuary and stealing musical instruments. 

When a crisis situation arises, the church administration must act immediately to put the church’s crisis management plan into full swing.  Media relations during a crisis response can either “make” or “break” a church. No matter how well the personnel execute the response effort, if the media get the wrong message or worse no message, the potential negative effects can be long lasting.

The media must be viewed as an ally in getting the right message out. Your church must be seen as an honest broker of information and sincere. If it isn’t, the effects can be devastating to the church’s reputation, mission, and have a negative impact upon the congregation.

Ignoring the media is a recipe for disaster. Rather than avoiding press conferences, church leaders should actively schedule regular briefings to present an update. Obviously as response efforts change, conflicting information can arise. It is imperative not to ignore these contradictions, but explain them (or you may find that your explanations are provided for you by others!).

The objectives of the crisis media plan are to:

ü      Install confidence in the community that agencies are effectively working together in the response effort

ü      Promote a positive understanding of the response, recovery and mitigation programs in place

ü      Provide all target audiences with appropriate access to information about the crisis

ü      Maintain communication with those affected by the crisis.

No discussion concerning crisis response would be complete without addressing the need to be prepared to respond to inquiries from the media and the public. A “No comment” response is not considered a response, it is a dodge.  In today's environment of instantaneous news, churches do not have the luxury of delaying or ignoring requests from the media. Put simply, if a church chooses not to, or is slow in its response to media requests, the media will get its story from other, less reliable sources.

Despite best efforts, emergency incidents will happen. One of the most important aspects of crisis management is having a plan in place before you actually need it.  Churches that develop comprehensive crisis response plans and exercise them are in the best position to anticipate a successful outcome. If your church faced a crisis today, would your staff and employees know how to react?  Do they know how to handle inquiries from the media and work with local emergency responders?

Seven-Step Crisis Management Formula

1. Define the scope of the crisis

• Local, regional or national
• Organizational areas involved
• What have others done in similar situations?

2. Establish unified response

• Designate one person authorized to clear statements to the media and the public; responsible for getting clearances from lawyers, public safety officials, etc; make arrangements in advance
• Develop and maintain a unified position and supporting messages
• Keep messages simple, clear and consistent
• Tailor messages to audiences

3. Create a central information service

• If necessary, set up an adequately staffed and equipped media headquarters away from the crisis site and know how to arrange for additional phone lines
• Staff and volunteers should refer all crisis questions to the central source:
  • Request stakeholder cooperation
  • Arrange for the receptionist and voice mail to refer calls to the crisis center
  • Have emergency numbers (police, fire, public safety, medical) available
• To avoid inconsistencies in media responses, have all requests funneled through information central

4. Act promptly

• Gather facts calmly
• Notify media and cooperate with reporters
• Target communications to those affected by the crisis and who can effect action
  • Staff, leaders, stakeholders, government officials, media
• Different crises have different focuses
  • Disasters/industrial accidents/environmental problems affect local communities first
  • Takeovers, mergers, acquisitions affect financial markets and media
  • Product recalls/consumer boycotts affect customers, stakeholder sales forces, suppliers distributors
  • Thefts of church property, embezzlement and other financial irregularities, or incidents involving youth and children all can have a dramatic impact upon the church and each event will require a different response.
• Immediately make a simple statement indicating awareness of the situation, action being taken and willingness to inform media and public of details when they are known
• Openly and honestly provide as much detail as possible
  • Extent of problem, damages, injuries
  • Actions being taken by church, congregations
• Arrange for a news conference for the designated spokesperson as soon as facts are known
  • Make spokesperson available for interviews
• Console the stricken, reassure the affected, offer help
• Use facts to squelch rumors
• Work with hospitals/public safety organizations to designate spokespersons
• Keep stakeholders informed of developments (staff, leaders, association members, government officials)

5. Establish media response policy

• Schedule regular briefings to relay data, correct misconceptions and maintain positive media relations
• Coordinate activities with emergency personnel…police, fire, and EMS
• Provide no information about victims until families have been notified
• Keep media away from families until approved by appropriate person
• Do not stonewall or deny that there is a crisis
• Treat all media equally; no exclusives
• Stick to the facts
• Limit statements to the immediate problem
• Keep records of all replies (media, reporter name, date, time, respondent, summary of response, follow up requests)
• Have media monitoring plan
• Arrange for photographer/videographer to document important developments for media, lawyers, insurance companies, organizational records

6. Document everything

• Keep thorough and accurate records of everything - planning sessions, crisis management team meetings, reports and all public conferences; tape thoughts and reasons for making decisions because these will give a solid basis for quotes; document decision making and protect from blame fixing

7. Conduct a post-crisis review

• Appoint a crisis evaluation team to assess handling of the crisis and recommend changes in crisis procedures
  • Evaluation team members should be different from crisis management team members
• Questions to ask - Did the crisis plan work?  Where did it break down?  What should be added?  What was unnecessary and obsolete?  Who should be on the next crisis management team?

The bottom line to remember is this is an opportunity to let the public know how well your church has prepared to respond during a crisis.

Building A Comprehensive Security Plan:  Phase Nine-Ministry Protection

Ministers and church leaders occupy a unique position in their member’s life. Often they are revered, respected, and honored. Other times they are the scapegoats for some individual shortcomings or seen as the person responsible for a negative occurrence.

Congregants often turn to ministers in times of personal or family crises, trouble, and difficulties. This adulation can also create a sense of celebrity for ministers and church leaders.  The “celebrity” variable is amplified with larger congregations and those ministries that utilize the electronic media to further their outreach.

The very fabric that can make a minister or church leader distinct can also become a threat or vulnerability.  Incidents of accusations about misconduct, unlawful or unethical behavior, and even criminal behavior occur on a regular basis.  The reasons why ministers and church leaders are targets of extortion and false allegations can vary from get rich quick schemes, delusional beliefs that tend to exaggerate the minister’s roll in that person’s life, obtaining one’s fifteen minutes of fame, vindictiveness or more sinister and evil reasons including the desire to see the minister’s downfall or even the church’s downfall.   

The recent lawsuit filed against the Olsten’s that alleged a personal attack during a flight illustrates the vulnerability that some ministers endure. Numerous incidents have occurred during services where a person verbally (and in some instances, physically) attacks the minister during services.  Vindictiveness can take many forms and manifestations.

For whatever reason, the fact exists that ministers are often the targets of false accusations and allegations. This fact is inescapable, and requires proactive prevention.  Regardless of the facts, damaging accusations and allegations can have a dramatic impact upon the personal and professional life of the targeted minister and can also damage the reputation of the church.  The last building block of a comprehensive church security plan involves protecting the minister from physical harm and allegations of impropriety.  

Proactive Prevention

Ministers and church leaders have the right to conduct their ministries without fear, live safely, and enjoy a lifestyle without anxiety. The best recommendations for minister safety should begin with the concept of always being aware of our surrounding and circumstances, but don’t become overly suspicious that danger is lurking around every corner.  Don’t let the fear of crime rule your life, or stop you from enjoying the things you like doing, or inhibit your ministry. Doom and danger are not lurking behind every corner; however, a balanced approach to personal safety must involve a few simple precautions that can considerably reduce potential risk.

But do take your safety seriously. Stay alert, be prepared, and have a plan to keep yourself safe.

Three Simple Rules of Safety

• Stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings, wherever you are. Don't be taken by surprise. Be aware and be prepared.
• Project an image of strength and confidence.  Stand tall and walk confidently. Don't show fear. Don't look like a victim. Criminals are basically cowards and will be less likely to attack a person that appears confident.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave right away and get help if necessary.

The Minister’s Home

• Applicable residential crime prevention precautions should be addressed:
  • Access control
  • Locks
  • Alarms (including panic alarms)
  • Lighting
  • Landscaping
  • Precautionary planning (especially if small children answer the door bell and allow a person into the home…be cognizant that entry to your home is not limited to only the front door)

Your local law enforcement agency should be able to provide a security assessment of the residence and offer valuable suggestions for addressing any noted deficiency. 

• The ministers home should be considered a point of vulnerability due to the fact that the minister’s family is often on-site, potential for isolation (which can include the minister or one of his or her family members), and the uncertainty of who will answer the knock at the door.
• The old adage that everyman’s home is their castle also applies to ministers regardless if the church owns the property.  No one has the right to enter without the minister’s permission.
• Almost all clergy utilize their homes as an extension of their “work-place”.  Since most members of the church realize this variable, contacting the minister at home is considered no big deal.  The minister must establish clearly defined boundaries concerning availability, “drop-by” contacting, and other related issues that affect the minister and his or her family’s well being.
• Criminologists concur that violent incidents occur more frequently against counselors, school officials, mediators, and other similar professions when the attacker does not have an appointment.  Making an appointment is a form of documentation.
• Never be apprehensive about not allowing a person into the home or contacting law enforcement officials if threatened. 
• It is important to remember that a significant number of reported physical assaults upon ministers were from individuals associated with the church. Stranger danger is not the only threat.
• Benevolence requests should never be granted at your home…redirect all requests to the church office during normal business hours.  This may seem unreasonable or uncaring; however, this practice could escalate potential problems occurring at the home.  In emergency situations, an after-hour benevolence protocol should be established where the need can be addressed at the church.  (Ensure that at least two church volunteers or staff is involved in meeting individuals after normal business hours or when the church is closed.)
• If a person arrives at the minister’s home with a “life and death” situation and is insistent upon talking to the minister immediately, confer with that person on the door step and make someone in the house aware of what is occurring so they can monitor the situation.  This may seem “cold hearted”, but until the situation can be controlled, it is wiser to err on the side of precaution. 
• Never allow anyone in your home to use the telephone.  If necessary, allow that person to use your cell phone outside of your home.
• In the event that the minister has small children and utilizes an occasional babysitter, be sure that the sitter does not allow anyone to enter the home or wait for the minister’s return.
• Planning ahead is paramount to the minister’s personal safety and to their family.

After Hours Calls

Whenever a minister or church leader receives an emergency call to return to his or her church, the minister should be cautious of the true nature of the emergency and the possibility that the call is a hoax.

Ministers, church leaders, and volunteers who receive after hours call outs should:

·        Never return to the church without first notifying someone that you are returning to the church.

·        If the call is triggered by an alarm, the minister should phone the police department and request that an officer meet him or her at the location.

·        If the call is of a repair nature, phone the repair company and have the service truck sent out before the minister leaves his or her home.

·        If the minister arrives at the church and does not observe either the police department or service representatives, do not enter the church and do not park near the church until the officer or service tech arrives.

·        Verify all phone calls, regardless of where they originate.  A careless slip on the minister’s part may be all the criminal is waiting for.

Ministering at Other Peoples Homes

• Plan ahead…know exactly where you are going and who will be there.
• Always tell someone at the church where you are going.  It is a good practice to call that person when you arrive onsite in the presence of the person you are visiting.  This sends a subliminal warning that others know about the meeting.  Always have a readily available means of communication such as a cell phone with preprogrammed emergency numbers.
• Confidentiality issues complicate the above stated precautions.  The minister can prepare an itinerary log and place it in a sealed envelope with opening instructions for office staff to open in case they do not hear from the minister within a predetermined time.
• When parking, attempt to back your car in and don't park directly in front of the home/residence.
• Listen outside the door of the home for disturbances such as screaming, yelling, or fighting.
• When knocking on the door, stand to the side, not in front of it.
• Introduce yourself clearly, letting the family know who you are and why you are there.  
• Nighttime visits should be avoided if possible.
• Since you are on their “turf”, you will automatically be on the defensive.

Be extremely aware of the surroundings; if unexpected people are there or you develop a feeling of apprehension, leave immediately. After being invited in, be aware if the person locks the door once you are in their home.  Asking to unlock the door may seem rude, but a locked door can inhibit a quick get away. 

• When ministering in “at risk” locations give serious consideration to the street, neighborhood, or area where you are visiting. Exercise extra caution—for example, avoid wearing jewelry or carrying large amounts of cash—in known drug areas, isolated places, or high crime areas. No matter where you are going, be sure your car has enough gas and is in good working order.

• Quickly assess what is their demeanor?  If the person you are going to meet is intoxicated or in a highly charged emotionally state, leave immediately.  If the person is in dire need and you believe counseling that person is essential, call another staff person to meet with you to ensure your safety. 
• No matter how thorough you are, safety assessments and action plans are not magic bullets. If they are to work at all, you must remain alert and observant once you are in a family's home.

Remember that most people you will be ministering to are not a threat…they seek your guidance and help. Keep a balanced approach between safety and your ministerial objectives. Don't get carried away. Safety assessments and action plans are useful only because they promote our awareness and reduce our fear so we can focus on helping families.

Avoid Trouble

On foot:

• Choose busy streets and avoid going through vacant lots, alleys, or other deserted areas.
• At night, walk in well-lighted areas whenever possible.
• Try not to walk or jog alone. Take a friend or neighbor along for company.
• Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where someone could hide.
• Avoid using headphones while walking, driving, or jogging.
• Get to know the neighborhoods and neighbors where you live and work.
• Make eye contact with people when walking - let them know that you have noticed their presence.
• Find out what stores and restaurants are open late and where the police and fire stations are located.
• Carry your purse close to your body and keep a firm grip on it.
• Don’t Run from Danger - Run Toward Safety. Some street survival skills are counter-intuitive. In the face of verbal abuse, a threat, or an imminent assault, our fight or flight response will hopefully kick in and help facilitate our escape. Simply running away from danger may actually run you into a more difficult, or dangerous situation. If you flee, remember; don’t run from danger, run toward safety. Knowing where to go means that you must be mindful of your surroundings, including both who and what is around you. In field settings, you will often find yourself on someone else’s turf. Everyone else around you knows the lay of the land, except you. Know two ways in, and two ways out of any environment you enter.

In your car:

• Always lock your car and take the keys, even if you'll be gone only a short time.
• Keep your car in good running condition, and keep the tank at least a quarter full; lock doors while driving.
• If your car breaks down, raise the hood and utilize emergency reflectors or flares. Then stay in the locked car. When someone stops to help, don't get out. Ask him or her, through a closed or cracked window, to telephone the police to come and help.
• If you're coming or going after dark, park in a well-lighted area that will still be well lighted when you return.
• Be especially alert when using enclosed parking garages.
• Don't walk into an area if you feel uncomfortable.
• Leave only your ignition key with a parking attendant. Don't leave your house key or other keys on the key ring.

In a Parking Lot

Parking lots, especially hospital parking, are potentially vulnerable areas for criminal occurrences such as car theft, vandalism, mugging and other personal assault. However you can do a lot to improve your parking lot security by being selective in where you park, taking basic precautions and always being aware of what is happening around you.

• Make sure that all doors are locked, don't forget the trunk, and ensure all windows are closed up tight. This is parking lot security 101, leaving a door unlocked or a window open makes it too easy for thieves. Don’t fall into the “I’ll only be a few minutes” mentality, how long does it take for a thief to get into an unlocked car and drive it away?
• Put everything out of sight even if you don't consider it to be valuable because the thief might think it is. Lock it away in the trunk. If you can't do that, then cover it with a blanket.
• If you are parking all day, at work or at conference for example, return to your car when you can, during a break perhaps, and move it to a better location.
• If you are parking at night, choose an area of the parking lot that is well lit. If you cannot see a fair distance and your vehicle cannot be seen from a fair distance, don't leave it there - park someplace else.
• Parking in daylight? Think about when you are likely to return to your car and if it still be daylight then?  Even if you plan to be back to your vehicle before nightfall, remember that you could be delayed. Check, is there any lighting in this area of the parking lot, would you choose to park here if it was dark?
• Avoid parking close to bushes, trees or walls that could provide cover for a thief. Avoid also parking next to large vans or other high-sided vehicles. You want your car, and yourself, to be as visible as possible to security cameras, security staff and others.
• Look around you before leaving your car. Is there anyone loitering unnecessarily? Anything-suspicious going on?  If there is, park somewhere else and notify the parking lot security staff of what you have seen.
• Get into the habit of entering and leaving your car as quickly as possible. Try and avoid opening the car door before you have gathered together all that you need to take with you.
• When returning to your car, look around for suspicious persons or suspicious activity as you approach. If you don't like the look of anyone, or anything, then notify security. Take a look at the back seats of your vehicle before getting in, making sure there is not anyone hiding out in your car.
• Get in the habit of setting your car alarm and any other security devices when you leave your car. Make use of alarm stickers or decals. If you don't have an alarm fitted - get one installed.
• Consider utilizing visible security measures fitted in your car such as a steering wheel locking, or brake pedal locking device. These are highly visible and they let a thief know that he would need at least a little time to steal your vehicle. There is a good chance he would look for an easier target.
• When using valet parking, only leave the keys that you need to with the attendant. Never leave keys that are marked with a key code and do not have your address attached to your keys.
• When parking in a lot that charges a fee, always take the ticket with you, don’t leave it in your car because the auto-thief needs it to make an exit.
• If you are ever threatened, remember that your car and your possessions are replaceable, you are not.

One golden rule to remember is this simple adage: “Trust Your Gut”.  If the situation feels wrong, it probably is. Your gut instinct can improve your safety if you learn how to channel it. Our fear response is purposeful and accurate in most situations. We tend to get into trouble when we have the feeling that the situation is becoming dangerous, but we override that feeling with thoughts that everything will be alright, or that we have to hang in there despite that bad feeling.

Building a comprehensive security plan for your church should not be considered outside the realm of your ministerial duties.  Thieves do not respect the sanctuary…they are only concerned with finding easy targets.  Protecting your congregation, church, your home, and even yourself should be a critically important aspect of any ministry.  Just as the church’s music ministry plays an integral role in the overall worship experience, a security ministry should also play a vital role in the worship experience.

This nine-step process to building a comprehensive security plan encompasses the essential elements necessary to protect the church from criminal attack and victimization.  No plan is complete without having an individual or group of individuals responsible for the development and oversight of a proactive security plan.

For additional information about developing a church security oversight team and proactive strategies they can employee to reduce vulnerabilities, please contact Crime Prevention Training Concepts at www.cptconline.com.

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