In recent years, high-profile shootings and hate crimes have brought the issue of violence at houses of worship to the forefront. Sadly, the frequency of mass shootings at churches and other places of worship continues to increase. The 2017 shooting at a small church in Sutherland Springs, TX was the 14th fatal shooting at a house of worship since 2012, according to the Associated Press. These tragic events remind us that no place of worship is immune from potential attack. Northeast Ohio churches cannot afford to be naive about potential security risks.

Attackers often look for ‘soft’ or easy targets. Criminals do not want to take extra risks and will often choose to attack areas that are the most vulnerable, providing greater opportunity for them to easily inflict harm. The proactive effect of having visible security measures in place – like building access control and video surveillance – can go a long way to deter potential attackers and protect your congregation.