Over the last few Christian holiday seasons (Easter and Christmas), CSN has stressed to all Christian organizations to take extra security precautions.
Yet, even after we stress the need for increased vigilance during these holidays, it is always disappointing to see so many incidents that occur and could have been prevented.
So, much of this article will be a refresher to some, but it is worth repeating because the risks this year will be greater.
I know many of you are praying for an uneventful Thanksgiving and Christmas in terms of crime or emergency incidents; I sure will. In fact, the thousands of people who read this newsletter every week should make it a prayer item with their prayer teams to pray for safe and secure holidays for all Christians so we may all rejoice in peace. The battle always starts with the spiritual one and we must be prepared in every instance to stand firm (Eph. 6:10-18).
From Thanksgiving to Christmas, this is probably some of the busiest times for the church for increased attendance, more services, and special events.
Unfortunately, of all the good that comes from the increased holiday activity; criminals are aware of this increase too and see this as opportunity for whatever evil intentions they have in mind, be it theft, burglary, or worst. They see increased attendance as more money the church will have and greater numbers of adults and children mean more confusion and the ability to go unnoticed. To them it also means more targets.
And it is not all about crime; emergency planning plays a major factor in this increased activity also.
From lost or missing children to medical assists, the numbers will go up as the number of people visiting your church rises. Plus being the approaching winter season, many areas of the country will be at risk for severe weather, which means the Shelter-in-Place and Medical Assist plans have to be reviewed.
There are several key measures that could be done before the holidays.
The first is to make contact with your local law enforcement, fire department, and emergency medical services. Let them know your plans or that you will have increased attendance. Give them the times of the services or events and let them know of the expected attendance. This communication helps emergency responders plan staffing, patrol, and response.
The second is to do a short training session with all your staff and volunteers. Review the top five critical emergency plans (that all of you should know by now) and go over security awareness. Let them know what is expected of them and what they can expect from the church's Safety Team (which you should have in place, in extra numbers).
The third is more strategic and that is to make your church less predictable. As a refresher to training CSN has done in the past, one of the church's greatest vulnerability is their predictability. A person with evil intents only needs to go on your church website and see when people will be present and when they will not and depending on their intents, they may make plans.
So change your routines, put people in places and at times not normally done. Put cars in the parking lot over night, leave on more lights inside and outside the church than normal. And maybe even hire off-duty police officers for extra security in parking lots.
Just doing these three things will greatly enhance your overall security and emergency plans.
And don't forget to reach out to your congregation and give them information to avoid being a victim this holiday season, whether it is at your church or while they are at home or shopping.
Reminding them to make sure they lock their cars (especially in your church parking lots), don't leave items visible in the car (i.e. Christmas presents, shopping bags, purses, cell phones, etc.), be extra careful to watch purses and wallets while in crowds, be extra vigilant in parking lots while their hands are full, and take extra security measures at their homes.
It is always a shame to have such great festivities end with a loss of property or worst, a loss of life.
Pray for the best, but prepare for the worst and always trust in the Lord.
In Christ,
Jeff Hawkins
Executive Director
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Comments from last week's article:
"IF YOU LET SOMEONE DRIVE YOUR CAR AND DRUGS ARE FOUND IN THAT CAR WHO IS GOING TO JAIL? THE PERSON WHO OWNS IT OR THE PERSON WHO HAS CONTROL OF IT? THE POINT IS THAT A "HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT " SHOULD BE ALWAYS PRESENTED BECAUSE THE CHURCH IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT INSTRUCTOR SIGN ONE IS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ON THE CHURCH PROPER. GREAT ARTICLE AS USUAL!!!" K.W.
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