Protecting a house of worship should ideally involve a multifaceted approach that balances the need for security with the mission of providing an open and welcoming environment.
We recently sat down with Michael Mullady, Vice President of Protective Services for Arrow Elite, a service of Arrow Security, to discuss some of the issues surrounding this topic. Mullady brings more than three decades of law enforcement, military, and high-end private security experience to the Arrow Elite program, including 22 years with the NYPD.
Here are some important aspects to consider when building a security plan for your congregation in order to effectively protect its members, staff, and property while maintaining a welcoming and spiritually enriching environment:
1. Critically Assess All Security Measures
What measures do you have in place to deter criminal activity? While you may have security guards on site, other aspects of security should be checked regularly or implemented, including access control at building entry points, CCTV cameras, and adequate lighting around the building’s exterior and parking areas to monitor activity and deter potential threats, says Mullady.
Do you have a security team in place to oversee the daily security operations of the building? The security team can consist of a group of volunteers, employees, or contractors whose primary responsibilities range from serving as ushers and greeters at the beginning and end of services to those who observe, report, and respond to suspicious activities. Team sizes can range from one or two people with a few security responsibilities to a professional security team consisting of a combination of in-house security employees and contract personnel.
2. Create Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans
Is there a written security and safety/emergency operations plan in place? Mullady suggests working with your internal or external security team to develop and regularly update emergency response plans for a variety of potential threats, including fires, natural disasters, and active shooter situations.
Do you have an internal or external security manager or committee to make security management decisions and to implement plans and training? Conducting training sessions and drills for staff and volunteers ensures that everyone on the team is properly trained to respond in case of an emergency. The security manager should also establish effective communication methods that can quickly disseminate information during a crisis via text alerts, emails, automated phone calls, or through a public address system in the building, Mullady advises.
3. Enlist Community Engagement and Vigilance
Has the house of worship coordinated the security and safety/emergency operations plans with law enforcement? The security manager or committee should build a relationship and maintain regular communication with local law enforcement and seek their guidance on security matters, says Mullady. Local law enforcement should be a partner in the creation and execution of your security plans, as well as being included in the training of volunteers and staff in conducting drills.
Have the safety and emergency plans been shared with the congregation? In addition to sharing the plans, Mullady also suggests that the members of the congregation be advised on reporting any suspicious activities in the vicinity of the building and grounds.
4. Conduct Background Checks
Are background checks conducted on employees and volunteers? Background check services are readily available, and some of these companies specifically cater to religious organizations. These checks typically include verification of an individual’s home address and Social Security numbers, as well as searches for misdemeanor and felony criminal records, sex offender registry listings, and civil records. Just make sure, says Mullady, to follow any legal requirements associated with conducting background checks.
5. Evaluate In-House vs. Outsourced Security Needs
Should your security be sourced internally or contracted through a professional security firm? This decision is based solely upon the needs and comfort level of each congregation, says Mullady. However, staffing and managing an internal security team – as well as creating security and safety plans – can be a daunting task, he notes. Mullady suggests that, while there is an expense to working with a security firm, it can save time and resources in the long run. The best approach for protecting a house of worship and its congregation is to form a partnership between the internal and external security team, based on clear policies, procedures and role delineation, Mullady advises.