1. Miller County Sheriff’s Office
WELCOME!! to
CHURCH CRIME PREVENTION
Presented by
Miller County Sheriff’s Office

2. Churches, by their very nature, have unique vulnerabilities…

3. Church Crime Prevention…Obstacles
Lack of Security Consciousness
Philosophy:
“No one would steal God’s money”
Mission
Openness
Attitude
Physical
Hours of operation

4. Church Crime Prevention…Obstacles
Population bases
Child care
Youth
Seniors
“Fringe” Element

5. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Physical Assets
Financial Resources
Iconic Representation
Hate Crimes & Terrorism
Fraud
Panhandlers
Misrepresentation of need
Reliance of volunteers

6. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Additionally, churches are susceptible to more traditional crimes:
Burglary
Robbery
Theft
Embezzlement
Vandalism

7. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Burglary
The most frequent
church crime
Presence of valuable
sound systems and
audiovisual equipment,
computers and office
equipment, art objects,
and cash

8. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Robbery
On church grounds
When making church
fund deposits
Congregation

9. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Criminal Assault
Assault of church members,
visitors and/or employees
Recovery Workshops,
Meetings, Special Events
Vulnerability during low
traffic periods

10. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Theft of and from Motor Vehicles
Large number of vehicles
during church services
Vehicles frequently left
unlocked
Valuables left in vehicle
Security Consciousness

11. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Physical Obstacles to Preventing Crime:
Because churches are not perceived as a serious crime risk, security measures are frequently minimal and inadequate

12. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Physical Obstacles to Preventing Crime:
Church buildings are rarely designed with security features…Physical security as an after thought.

13. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Physical Obstacles
to Preventing Crime:
Key control and access
management is often weak
Exterior lighting of houses
of worship is often less
than adequate

14. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Churches are often left unlocked for extended periods of times for members to come and go as they please.
Buildings are often unoccupied

15. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Activity schedules
are predictable and
advertised

16. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Churches with day-care
facilities, gymnasiums,
or schools have the
additional threats…
volunteers

17. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Presence of non- members at special events and services

18. Church Crime Prevention… Risks and Threats
Churches often minister to the homeless, drug users, gang members, and other ‘sinners”. Some of these persons may pose a threat to the well-being of the church.

19. Church Crime Prevention Mission
Church security should address the elements of:
Physical
Electronic
Environmental
Procedural

20. History of Church Violence
December 2007 Arvada Colorado
July 2008 Tennessee
March 2009 Maryvale Ilinois
Neosho Missouri
Arkansas

21. Considering the Risks Churches are isolated
Beliefs can be controversial
Food- Lodging- Financial Assistance
Individual conflicts family conflicts

22. Human Rick factors Family Conflict Resent changes
Former Church Members
Revenge
Copy Cat Violence

23. Church Crime Prevention Strategy
Comprehensive Physical Security Survey
A security survey is
a critical on-site
examination and
analysis of a site
that determines:

24. Church Crime Prevention Mission
The present security status,
Identifies deficiencies or excesses,
Determines the protection needed,
Makes recommendations to improve the overall security of the facilities.

25. Church Crime Prevention Mission
Target Hardening
Locks
Key management
Access Control
Alarms
Lighting
CCTV
Signage
Landscaping
Safes

26. Church Crime Prevention Mission
The goal of Target Hardening
is to eliminate opportunity and
send a message that risks
outweigh potential rewards
for criminals.

27. Proactive Prevention Strategies
Unfortunately, there is
no single strategy or preventive measure
that will ensure that a church
will not be a victim of a
violent Crime or traumatic incident.

28. Course of Action Survival Mindset Continuous Assessment Process
Enables you to act quickly and effectively
Mindful, not fearful
Airline safety briefing
Better able to make that first, critical decision
Continuous Assessment Process
Allows you to take appropriate survival action
Use all senses
Trust your intuition—that “gut” feeling (knowing without knowing why)

29. Course of Action Get Out (Run) Call Out
Move quickly; don’t wait for others to validate your decision
Leave belongings behind
Survival chances increase if you are not where shooter is or go where he can’t see you
Call Out
Inform authorities
Call and tell them the name of shooter (if known), shooter description, location, number and type of weapons

30. Course of Action Hide Out May not be able to get out
Shooter between you and the only exit
Would have to enter area where shooter is positioned
Hiding place
Well hidden and well protected
Avoid places that might trap you or restrict movement

31. Course of Action Keep Out
Find a room that can be locked with objects to hide behind
Blockade door with heavy furniture
Turn out lights; become totally silent
Turn off noise-producing devices
Call (If you can do so without alerting the shooter)

32. Course of Action Spread Out
If two or more of you, DO NOT huddle together; gives you options and makes it harder for the shooter
Quietly develop a plan of action in the event the shooter enters
Remain calm
Can have a contagious effect on others
Keeps others focused on survival

33. Course of Action Take Out (LAST RESORT)
Assume shooter’s intentions are lethal
Shooter will succeed in shooting all those with whom he comes in contact, UNLESS you stop him
Develop a survival mindset that you have “what it takes” to survive when your life is on the line
You must be prepared to do whatever it takes to neutralize the threat
Throw things, yell, use improvised weapons
If two or more of you, make a plan to overcome the shooter
Do the best that you can—choose to survive

34. Alert Words Code Words to warn others
Can be helpful in a variety of situations

35. Situational Awareness
Responsibilities- Security teams
Observe with a purpose
Visually Scale
Hands and Body First
Limit Access- Locked doors
Security Walk thru’s

36. What to Look For Unusual Emotion Anger / rage Crying Unusual Laughter
Nervous
Out of control “Wild Eyed”
Absence of emotion

37. What to Look For Unusual behavior
Standing or sitting in vehicle for long period
Trying to be unnoticed
Asking about member or pastor
Inappropriate grin
Stalling for time
Hiding or checking clothing
Excessive time in bath room
Inappropriate clothing

38. Acting on a Potential Threat
Observe
Signal others
Act
Be friendly
Approach
Asses emotional state
Separate from others
Talk in calm voice
Call police
Don’t Detain

39. Practice Scenarios

40. Proactive Prevention Strategies
Most security
professional concur that
institutions (churches)
must be prepared to
respond to negative
occurrences within
their environments.

41. Proactive Prevention Strategies
Doing
Nothing
Invites
Criminal
Opportunity!!

42. Proactive Prevention Strategies
Remember the Boy Scouts motto…
Be Prepared!

43. Questions??