Church security is focus of conference at scene of Fort Worth shootings

From: WFAA News

FORT WORTH — Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth will forever be known for a night in 1999 when a gunman interrupted a prayer rally.

Seven people were killed and seven others wounded by a man shouting anti-church rhetoric who then took his own life.

So church officials are happy to host a large seminar this week on preventing violent attacks on worshipers.

"For me, I see a lot of value in this," said Wedgwood employee Jeff Laster, who was taking photos of the conference.

Laster was the first one shot in the 1999 incident. He sees value in about 500 peace officers and church workers sharing security plans and philosophies.

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Balance of Welcoming and Protecting

From: Star-Telegram

"Last month, a pastor pointed his gun at two burglars at his Beaumont church after one threatened to hit him with a two-by-four, the local newspaper reported.

Last year, an elderly woman in Arkansas interrupted a burglary at church and was beaten to death with a cross. The year before, robbers in Illinois beat two women while ransacking a church.

Once, churches were sanctuaries where respect, fear of the Almighty or even superstition kept lawbreakers at bay. Now, violent crimes seem to be increasingly common at churches large and small. This week's attack at an Arlington church, where the pastor was slain and his assistant severely beaten, is yet another example."

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/04/2897778/churches-face-tricky-balance-of.html#ixzz1FvhTTffN