Security_Objective_Components

Security Objective Components CJS/250 February 20, 2011 Security Objective Components The vast majority of people who frequent their churches would never think they could be in any danger. People go to church to share fellowship with others who believe as they do. It clearly states in the article, “one would normally think a church would be the safest place to be” (Clifford, 2004, p. 109). But, ever since the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, the violence in churches has escalated. With bombings and shootings on the rise, church administrators to need to rethink on how to protect their parishioners, if they want to stay in business. “Churches across the country are increasingly becoming targets of criminal acts” (Many Churches Blind to Risk of Criminal Attacks, 2011). Since the Federal Bureau of Investigation only becomes involved in hate crimes against churches, church administrators should clearly take a stand. “Churches should do a full threat analysis, which should include the following, surrounding communities, natural, criminal, terrorist, or accidental” (Renfroe, 2010). Churches would then see that guns and bombings would indeed be the highest security component that would deserve the most attention. Depending on the geographical location, natural threats would be the lowest security component. Churches then should implement measures to lower the risk and the impact by the two highest threats. One countermeasure would be to install access devices to all entrances into the church. Every member of the church would be given an access card to scan so doors could then be pulled open. If anyone passing by would just want to visit that day, the visitor would have to be scanned for metals. This may sound too stringent for churches, but if this security measure saves one little girl, then it is worth the hassle. To lower the risk of bombs, motion detectors should be installed on the outsides of churches, which would illuminate the area, and a call would be sent to the local police departments. This type of security system could also be integrated to use for arsonists who burn down the churches. These actions could help reduce the risk and lower the impact of the act itself. Police and fire equipment are notified in the early stages of the criminal act. Another way to lower the impact is to place fire escapes routes in all areas, hallways, and to make sure all members know the escapes routes. Have practice drills for the parishioners to ensure everyone knows the escape routes. There is no way to totally eliminate the threat of arson or bombings, but churches can reduce the threat and the impact these criminal acts can create. The two high security components that churches face are also threats that can happen in public places, such as wide open malls. These two components would have different security plans in a mall setting. Malls are designed and built with the thought to hold hundreds of people on any given day. Some malls have many levels, with hundreds of little shops inside. To put security measures in place for one mall, would take a large firm, which was truly dedicated in their work. Many man hours would have to be budgeted to keep the plan updated and implemented on a daily basis. Security components for churches and malls are the same, but for large targets such as malls, the impact of a threat is much greater than a single church. The devastation could be compared to 911, if a bomb was to be used in a mall. Many lives would be affected by the impact at a mall. Lives, loss of jobs, social settings for the public, and the impact it would create on the community would be devastating. Conclusion “The Christian Security Network says one of the biggest problems churches face, is that many churches do not think they are targets” (Many Churches Blind to Risk of Criminal Attacks, 2011). With minimal input from the policing communities, church administrators need to step up the task of protecting and safeguarding their most precious assets. Security risk assessments need to be completed and measures need to be taken so that the parishioners can still believe that their chosen church is still their sanctuary. Church’s need realize that there are people and groups out there that want to hurt them and their buildings.