{"id":4237,"date":"2021-08-24T14:03:29","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T18:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/?p=4237"},"modified":"2022-08-17T21:06:07","modified_gmt":"2022-08-18T01:06:07","slug":"church-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/church-security\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Steps To Improve Church Security In 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
Although the concept of the church as a safe place, a sanctuary, is probably as old as religion itself, the need for a detailed church security plan can feel wrong to some people. A church is meant to be a welcoming place, not a fortress. Unfortunately, every church faces real risks, and a security plan is essential to ensuring that your congregation and staff can feel secure.<\/p>\n
A church safety plan is a set of protocols that layout how your church leaders and volunteers should respond to emergencies and threats such as a fire, theft, medical crisis, active shooter, or even extreme weather.<\/p>\n
One of the first steps is to designate the members of your church security team. It can include paid staff and volunteers, but it should be based on clear requirements for service, including passing a background check. Then this team can collaborate with church management, local law enforcement, and emergency services to establish the proper protocol for each scenario.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Visibility is essential when laying out your security plan and implementing it. Modern tools and digital systems can allow you to discreetly deploy equipment without making people feel overly watched. Although, surveillance is an important form of accountability and can prove necessary when dealing with claims of misconduct.<\/p>\n
You will likely need a control room to monitor video feeds and manage critical systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Examine the floorplan of your church and identify the most important areas to cover with security cameras<\/a>. Consider ways to optimize visual coverage and subtlety. Nobody enjoys feeling watched, especially in a vulnerable place such as a church.<\/p>\n<\/div> Obviously, most churches proactively invite people from all walks of life to participate in services, so a comprehensive access control system<\/a> would be counterproductive. On the other hand, staff offices, rooms for nursing mothers, and rooms housing valuable artifacts or equipment should be protected with controlled access.<\/p>\n<\/div>Visitor Control for Important Rooms<\/h3><\/div>