Security for Religious Institutions
Religious institutions provide for the spiritual and cultural needs of a community, but the unfortunate fact is that they have been coming under attack in recent years. Hate crimes, vandalism, theft, and assault are increasing. Religious institutions are vulnerable for several reasons, with budgeting for security becoming increasingly necessary.
Churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious institutions are vulnerable to attack, and can be a target for hate crimes, vandals, and worse. Access is typically unrestricted so that all feel welcome to services, with published meeting and event times. Religious institutions typically utilize volunteers, and there is a perceived lack of security. Buildings are frequently empty for long periods. Alternatively, some are tourist attractions, with a wide variety of visitors.
Congregations have vulnerable members, including the elderly and children. Large crowds gather for particular religious holidays, holy days, and events. In order to ensure the safety of their congregations, religious institutions must have an integrated security plan in place including preparation, prevention and response.
Religious institutions must increase their awareness and improve their security plans to protect their congregations. The use of technology can be helpful, as can collaboration with security professionals to assess options. Acknowledging risks and preparing for them is imperative. Emergency and evacuation procedures must be understood by everyone to be maximally effective.
The open and welcoming nature of religious institutions may be at odds with the required security levels to meet threats. Potential newcomers must not be alienated, and it is important not to create fear and suspicion. That being said, the most effective crime deterrent is a uniformed security officer on site. Licensed, active, off-duty police security with law enforcement and arrest ability is the gold standard of security measures available.
Blue4Hire provides only active local, county, and state police officers licensed in the State of Texas with authority to take police enforcement action if necessary. Customized security packages provide protection for your gathering with extensively trained, uniformed or plain clothes police officers to manage any incident that may arise, and to keep your congregation safe. We have a range of security guard services available to protect religious institutions and their congregants.
Although your congregants can be extra eyes and ears for suspicious activity, they are not trained to respond to threats. Those who play a role in the institution must be aware of indicators of threats or suspicious activity without creating fear and suspicion. The challenge of utilizing untrained persons for private security is that their response could potentially make the situation worse.
Police officers are highly trained in observing anything out of the ordinary, and in appropriate responses to threats. In an active attack, law enforcement would have to be alerted and must arrive on site to respond. If there are armed, active law enforcement officers already on site, they can respond immediately and appropriately to any threat, saving property and potentially, lives.
If you are in need of a security guard company to protect your religious institution, reach out to Blue4Hire. Your safety is our priority.
