AMU Emergency Management Law Enforcement Public Safety

Are Police Doing Enough to Help Protect Churches?

Crimes against churches have grown dramatically in the last few years. In 2010, there were 1,783 burglaries or thefts in churches, compared to 1,237 in 2009. The total cost of theft, burglary, robbery, vandalism and arson in 2009 exceeded $6.3 million, according to this article.

There have also been numerous violent crimes that occur in churches. Just last week, a gunman sped into a Colorado church parking lot and opened fire, killing the pastor’s mother. He was killed by an off-duty police officer. One of the more tragic incidents occurred in 2008 when a man walked into the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. and fired a shotgun at members of the congregation during a youth performance, killing two people and wounding seven others. Also, in 2009 a pastor was shot and killed, and two parishioners injured, after a gunman opened fire during Sunday services in Maryville, Ill.

While these incidents are becoming increasingly common, are law enforcement agencies engaging enough with local church communities?

POLICE Magazine just published an article, 5 Ways to Prevent Crimes Against Churches. Here are the five ways police can build awareness about crime with their local church community:

  • Ensure the church understands the extent of its risks
  • Communicate that implementing security fits with a church’s mission
  • Realize what you say may be implemented verbatim
  • Develop a relationship with the church
  • Offer assistance and review plans

The most important point to relay to church officials is that this could happen to them. Churches are no longer sacred spaces, they are soft targets for criminals. Police need to help build this awareness among the church community.

Does your police agency have a relationship with its local church community?

Leischen Kranick is a Managing Editor at AMU Edge. She has 15 years of experience writing articles and producing podcasts on topics relevant to law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, private security, and national security.

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