Volunteer Safety & Security Teams

 

Having a volunteer safety & security team is oftentimes a vital component to the overall Sunday worship experience in your church. Having an experienced and well-trained team is even more important. Members are very often eager to jump-in and serve whenever and wherever the need is present. However, the safety & security team could pose a bit more challenging than other volunteer opportunities so it is paramount that these individuals are selected carefully.

Background Checks

Since the Safety & Security team could have access to every area of the church, and for your peace of mind and due diligence, a criminal background check is recommended.

Experience

While not always necessary, an experienced security or law enforcement professional volunteer is preferable. Experience in this specialty field could save the church from future civil-liability issues.

Training

A comprehensive and on-going training program should absolutely be a part of this important service opportunity. Additionally, training should be well documented indicating the type of training, who conducted the training along with the dates the training was conducted.

To learn more about staffing and training a volunteer safety & security volunteer team, or to have a program implemented, email me directly at mark.a.santana@gmail.com

 

Suspicious Packages

No business or organization is immune from receiving packages that pose a threat from a person intent on causing harm to people or property. The motivations for these types of crimes are as varied as the people who send them. In the faith community it could be as simple as a disagreement in doctrine, a stance the church takes on controversial matters in the media or a deranged person drawn to religion and wishing to make a statement. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that staff or volunteers responsible for receiving mail and other packages have a solid working knowledge of first identifying a suspicious package and secondly handling a suspicious package.

Here is a short list on how to identify a potential threatening package:

• Packages with bulges or protrusions
• Packages wrapped in string
• Excessive postage
• Handwritten notes (e.g., CONFIDENTIAL, TO BE OPENED IN THE PRIVACY OF…)
• Improper spelling or titles of common names
• Generic or incorrect titles

Questionable or suspicious packages come in all shapes, sizes and even delivery methods. These and other factors should be considered along with regular training of all staff and volunteers serving in this capacity.

For more information on identifying and dealing with suspicious packages and other threats to the safety & security of members, visitors and staff, contact me directly at mark.a.santana@gmail.com.

Identifying Suspicious People

A suspicious person may often be identified by their behavior. While no one behavioral activity is solid proof that someone is planning to act inappropriately, these factors can help volunteer safety and security teams and staff members assess whether someone poses a potential threat.

• Inappropriate, oversized, loose-fitting clothes (e.g., heavy coat on a hot day).
• Outward nervousness, glancing or other signs of ill-at-ease. This may include sweating, staring inappropriately, or muttering.
• Constantly favoring one side of the body as if hiding or attempting to conceal something.
• Carrying packages that are inconsistent with the surroundings (e.g., boxes, toolbox).
• Asking questions that are uncommon (e.g., security measures).
• Offering evasive answers to common questions.
• Person(s) in unauthorized areas of the church.

This is a short list of activity that could be considered “suspicious.” Remember, no one factor is a certain indicator of a potential problem. The important thing is for staff and volunteers to maintain an awareness of their surroundings and the people in them.

To learn more about suspicious persons activity, and most importantly, how staff and volunteers should address this activity in a safe and professional manner, contact me at mark.a.santana@gmail.com

4 Reasons Churches Are Vulnerable

There was a time not so long ago that the words “Church” and “Security” were seldom, if ever, mentioned in the same sentence. After all, Church was a place we gathered to worship with friends and family, enjoy a sense of community and hear encouraging messages. “Safety and Security” was never part of the equation and understandably so. Church is, and has always been considered, a “safe” place.

In recent years, however, we have all come to realize that many unlikely gathering places have become the target of individuals intent on causing everything from minor disruptions to shootings of innocent visitors. These places have included malls, movie theaters, university campuses, work places and even schools. There is one primary reason these places and the people occupying them were likely targeted: They were vulnerable. Can you think of a more equally vulnerable gathering place than a Church?

Here are a few thoughts why I believe a Church building is vulnerable:

Lack of Prepardness

Few churches and staff members have a viable plan of action in place should a safety or security incident occur. With all that goes in to facilitating a worship service and the overall operation of a church, safety and security is seldom a priority.

Lack of Training

Even if there is a plan in place, on-going staff training is necessary. There’s a reason police, firefighters and our military train, train, and train some more. We will always resort to how we practiced in the event a real-life situation occurs.

Regular Check-Ups

The word “audit” is enough to send shivers down the spine of anybody. But establishing and facilitating a regular check and balances procedure ensures our safety and security procedures are where they need to be. What looked good and safe last month may not be the case this month. 

False Sense of Security

Hiring a local off-duty police officer who’s job it is to direct traffic and roam our hallways during services is a good start, but in many cases it’s not enough. Safety and securiy focus should be on prevention, not reaction. Safety and security is a drum that needs to be constantly beaten to ensure our guests, members and staff are safe, secure and we are prepared should the unlikely occur.

For more information on how I can partner with you to make your church a safe and secure gathering place, contact me at mark.a.santana@gmail.com