Giving More Than Intended

Note: I received this article last week and was asked to pass it on the the readers of Securityatchurch.com. I hope you find it helpful! As always, please leave your comments and share your thoughts and opinions. 

Ten Steps to Protect  Faith Staff and Volunteers while Providing Charity Services

By: Johnny Lee, President of ePanicButton and Director of Peace@Work

In October 2007, in a small city in eastern North Carolina, two women were stabbed at the Lakeside Baptist Church by a man whom they were trying to help.  Program Director Debbie Kornegay and Asst Director Eve Beasley were preparing food for the Meals on Wheels program when a drifter, Tommy Lee Holiday, somehow obtained access to the women in the Fellowship kitchen. According to Kornegay’s daughter who was contacted as they were looking for a shelter, he asked them for help in finding a place for the night.  At some point, Holiday fatally stabbed Kornegay and critically injured Beasley in the course of robbing them. He then fled the scene only to be apprehended in a park and later convicted of the crime.

This tragedy highlights a unique risk that many faith communities are exposed to as a common mission is to provide charitable services directly to those in need. Soup kitchens, food pantries, clothing programs and other humanitarian services put faith member in contact with the public often with few security considerations.

The risks can be clearly identified. By nature of the charity, the population served are often in dire straits and extreme poverty and hunger can lead to desperate acts.  Greater complications arise with the frequent issue of substance abuse and mental health problems which volunteers are rarely trained to manage.  Charity-inclined volunteers, particularly the young and elderly, may be more vulnerable to perpetrators who are skilled in taking advantage of compassionate or generous attitudes. Higher risks are involved when providing services locally, often in high-crime areas.  The worst part of these risk factors is that they are certainly going to be on the increase. The continued challenges of the economy will  exasperate those already in need while also augmenting the overall numbers requesting help.

Prevention measures can limit exposure and be established through a series of administrative and behavioral controls. The following ideas are simply considerations that can be included in a formal, risk assessment and security development process.

~Set firm policies and standards for program delivery. Provide the service only at designated time frames and location.  Prohibit providing services to those who just show up asking for help.

~Set the environment for program delivery with safety in mind.  Remove high value items from view.  Designate public restrooms. Maintain access control to the facility and clearly identify client area and staff/volunteer only areas. Prohibit taking clients to the back or storage room to find items or services. 

~Develop boundary-setting guidelines that ban or suspend services to offenders who violate policy or act inappropriately.  Inform them of expected conduct and follow through with consequences. Banning individuals may not only remove a problem client but establishes the reputation of program for no-nonsense behavior.

~Always work in larger numbers or at least pairs.  Adequate staffing of events or programs is critical to maintaining safety as isolated and lone workers much more likely to be assaulted.

~Discourage or prohibit personal giving to clients. Often, program members or volunteers will develop a “special interest” in a client or family and provide services, materials and even money to them directly.  A frequent scenario is a volunteer offering a handy-man project or yard cleaning job to a client in need. Discourage contact outside of the program delivery parameters. 

~Train staff and volunteers in recognizing warning signs, defusing hostile behavior and setting boundaries for any inappropriate behavior.  Aggressors are often calculated in their approach and will test targets on what behavior they can try.  If impractical to teach everyone, train a few responsible members to monitor for developing situations and provide intervention support. Consider contracting professional security, off-duty officers or work with law enforcement to have booth or table at any community events.

~With respect to crowd control, if it is anticipated to have a large turn out, limit the number of clients in the program delivery area and/or set caps on services. A difficult encounter can ensure if supplies run out and crowd expectations exceed capacity.

~Consider some application process for in-depth services to be rendered. By obtaining the contact information of the individuals, a record is made which will support further investigation if required. Even background checks can be considered (seek your legal consul for guidance). {Background Information Here}

~Outreach programs providing services in the client community should be conducted in a safe location, provided by teams that arrive and leave together and done in conjunction with local representatives from the visited communities and/or law enforcement. Just as important is timing of services with evenings or Friday afternoons being more volatile.

~Finally, trust instincts. But if there is a sense of danger, a bad feeling about a location, person or exchange, encourage volunteers to listen to their gut and act accordingly.

The spirit of giving and charity should be honored and fostered.  In truth, the vast majority of recipients are not a danger and are truly appreciative. While the need to give back can always be met through fund raisers, the appeal of giving directly will lead to such programs being offered. This service can be a true expression of generosity for those less fortunate but at the same time, the security, safety and well-being for everyone should never be compromised.

Johnny Lee, President of ePanicButton and Director of Peace@Work

Please join us March 15th, 2012 at 3:30 pm EST for a free, online webinar on Maintaining Security in Faith Institutions with Dave Benson of the Center for Personal Protection and Safety. Info - http://tinyurl.com/7463tcv

Boy Found Dead in Baptismal at Church

From: IndyStar.com

{Indianapolis police are investigating the death of a 1-year-old boy Wednesday after they were told that he was found submerged in a baptismal pool at a church on Indianapolis' Northwestside.}

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My Thoughts: This is the first time I recall seeing a story like this. It begs the questions... Accident or Not? Regardless, it should encourage us all to think about our baptismals and the safety precautions that are in place around them. Some churches have large baptismals similar to a hot tub or swimming pool, while other denominations simply have a large bowl for a sprinkling. 

If you have a large baptismal...

Do you keep water in your baptismal when not in use?

Is your baptismal open or closed when not in use?

Is there a way to lock the lid of the baptismal?

Is the area monitored by CCTV?

TigerLight Full Information Video

I have received multiple emails over the last few months informing me that my links to the TigerLight products were down. TigerLight has now reworked their online system and is back up and running. Please note: They are still working on a few link problems; however, you are now able to order and view all their products. Below is a YouTube infomercial on the product...


Click to Order TigerLight

Pastor Who Was Shot in Church Dies

From: TheLedger.com

{LAKELAND | The Rev. Carl Stewart died Thursday at his home, five months after he was shot during a service at the Greater Faith Christian Center Church, officials said Monday...

During a Sunday morning prayer service on Sept. 18, Jeremiah Fogle, 57, of Lakeland, walked into the West Lakeland church and opened fire, deputies said.

Stewart and the church's chief pastor, the Rev. ­William Boss, were wounded. Fogle aimed the handgun at another minister, Derrick Foster, who disarmed him, deputies said.}

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"Dear Pastor" - Think About It Series

Note: If you are looking for scriptural references for your church security team or ministry, Carl has done a great job in compiling a list and giving us his thoughts on the topic. 


Reposted with permission from www.carlchinn.com

Dear Pastor,

We know you may not understand those of us who watch for degeneracy where you naturally look for redemption. And because we want you to keep doing what you do, we don’t ask for you to become a security operator – we only ask that you take a moment to understand where we are coming from.

We know there is a prevailing culture in faith-based organizations that indicates we are in God’s hands of protection. We agree with that, but feel responsibility for active participation on our part for effective security. We know you like scriptural references for all church-related decisions and actions. We offer samples from both Old and New Testament with comments at the end;

Nehemiah 4:8-9, 13-18: They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

(13-18) Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.  After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”  When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did theirwork with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

I Chronicles 11:24-26:  Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard. (See also II Samuel 23:22-24).

Matthew 2:12-15:  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.

Acts 17:10 & 15:  (10) As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue…… (15)Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

I Corinthians 13:6-7: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Think About It…

Ø  Nehemiah 4:8-9, 13-18: Please take a moment to look up Col. Dave Grossman’s narrative entitled,  On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs. It will help you understand Nehemiah better.  We too are sheepdogs and we are different – we get that. By understanding Nehemiah better, you will understand our heart of protection better.

Ø  I Chronicles 11:24-26:  So David had a body guard? No wait, he had an entire body guard team! This was the same David who said in Psalms 32:7 that, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” David made similar professions of his faith in God’s protection all through the Psalms (5:11, 12:5, 12:7, 20:1, 25:21, 34:19-22, 40:11, 31:1-3), but he still appointed real warriors with real bloodstains on their swords to be his bodyguard. This is no more of a conflict than Jesus telling his men to get swords (Luke 22:36) then correcting the situation when Peter used it at the wrong time (Luke 22:51). David recognized what we are asking you to understand about us. Our protection does come from God, just as our food, income and shelter do. But like our food, income and shelter (read Matthew 6:25-31) – He expects a little participation from us in the process of acquiring and managing that protection. We all believe Matthew 6:25-31, but we all shop for food and clothing and make sure we keep hydrated. We trust Him for the provision, but recognize we have responsibility in the process. Safety and security is the same way. We trust Him ultimately, but recognize our responsibility in the process.

Ø  Matthew 2:12-15:  Wow – speaking of God’s protection, don’t you think He could have protected the infant Jesus? Is it even possible that Herod could have killed the infant Jesus? There were angels all around. In fact it was an angel that told them what to do. Couldn’t they have made it there in time to intervene? While leaving the theological message to you, we recognize that God told the parents to take evasive action for the protection of that baby, the parents took their responsibility of protection serious, and Herod did notmake good on his plans to kill Jesus.

Ø  Acts 17:10 – 15:  In this glimpse into the dynamic developing church we not only see Paul & Silas protected by intentional strategy (moving them in the night), but we also see there was an executive protection detail (escorts). These escorts weren’t angels, they were men assigned for protection. But isn’t this just one chapter after reading of an earthquake and God’s mighty hand delivering them from prison? Did they lose faith that soon after that Devine intervention? I think not – like so many before, they too recognized the balance of the substance of things hoped for (Faith) and the benefits of active vigilance (Intentional Security).

Ø  I Corinthians 13:4-7: This passage is our first policy manual suggestion. It describes the behavior we will always operate by as a security team.  We do not delight in evil and hope we never come across it. But chances are we will, and when that happens we will always protect. In the meantime, we will also deal with all the lesser distractions, concerns and hazards common to any gathering of people.

Ø  Pastors, Priests and church leaders, we know you feel sincere concern for our parishioners and staff. Even if you do not agree with this plea to implement intentional safety and security at our organization, we would never insinuate the safety and security of your church family is unimportant to you – we know it is. But we do hope you will recognize this request. We are sheepdogs – we won’t eat the sheep, we love the sheep. And we don’t want to run the ministry – we love to watch our leadership work. We just need to know that we are empowered by you to intercept when that occasional wolf comes prowling around. Most of the time we will be romping around making friends of anyone we can as we all work together towards the primary purpose of this ministry.

Ø  While you are reading on this subject, a few other scriptures you may wish to consider are; Esther 8:11, II Kings 11, 17-19, Proverbs 22:3, Matthew 10:17, II Timothy 4:14-18. See what comments you may make yourself as you consider the security of this church family in light of these things.

Will you endorse us to establish and / or strengthen intentional safety and 

Free Church Security Webinar

Webinar: Maintaining Security in Faith Institutions

Date:  March 15, 2012

Time:  3:30-4:30 p.m. EST

Cost:  Free

Sign Up:  Register here

Speaker:  Dave Benson,Director, Global Security, Center for Personal Protection and Safety

Maintaining Security in Faith Institutions

Faith institutions are a sanctuary and place of worship with an open, welcoming environment.  However, faith institutions also encounter the same security challenges and liabilities as any other non-profit, educational, government or commercial facility.

Because places of worship are prone to threatening, dangerous, and criminal activities, they're obligated to protect their clergy, staff, congregation, and students. 

This webinar is excellent for anyone who works in a faith-based or ministry organization, or who is charged with the safety and security of people within their organization:

Pastors | Clergy/Religious | Office Staff | Security Directors Ushers/Greeters| Volunteer Coordinators | First Responders Missionaries| Lay Leaders | Hospitality Staff/Volunteers

Children’s Staff/Volunteers

Pastor's Daughter shot at Fla. Church

From: MSNBC

[ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A pastor's daughter was accidentally shot in the head at a church in St. Petersburg, police said.

Investigators told The Associated Press that Moises Zambrana was showing his gun in a small closet to another church member interested in buying a firearm. Zambrana reportedly took out the magazine of the Reuger 9mm weapon but did not know there was a bullet in the chamber.]

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Note: Thanks Matt for the story!

Negligence... "Think About It"

Reposted with permission from www.carlchinn.com


Another great article from Carl Chinn's "Think About It"


NEGLIGENCE?

My wife and I attended Joel Osteen’s Church in Houston on their anniversary event in 2009 when they had a record attendance. Coming from a mega-church we understand big crowds, but the 50,000 attendance event was unlike any church experience we had encountered before. I was there primarily to observe their security operations, which I found to be quite well done; subtle, friendly and ready -- as a security team should be in a church.

But even with a well-developed professional team like that of Lakewood Church – the largest church in North America – things happen.

We read the story this week of a church volunteer who was charged with one count of indecency with a child in 2011. Not only has a grand jury cleared him of the charges, but he is now suing Lakewood Church for $10,000,000.00.

The interesting part of the negligence lawsuit can be found in what the church is accused of not providing;

A>    Proper training for security operators

B>    Lacking Surveillance that could have proved his innocence

C>    Poor internal investigation methods
D>    Failure to take actions that could prevent such things from occurring

As with many lawsuits, the truth will remain clouded. We may never know the real truth of what happened or didn’t happen, because attorneys on both sides of this significant issue will spin and manipulate raw truth to fit their agenda. A little autistic boy (the alleged victim) and the accused are the only two who really know the truth. In the end, insurance will probably decide once again to avoid the drawn-out fallout by making an offer of settlement, and everyone will be sworn to secrecy so lessons learned for others have to be read between the lines.

But there are some lessons learned we can already observe.

Think About it...

• As awful as sexual abuse is (among the most vile of things to occur in any environment), I can think of no greater assault than to be wrongly accused. The case of Christ is paramount in this category. When a charge is made, the accuser should be very certain of the accusation and process.
• It is the duty of all security team leaders to confirm the highest professionalism from their team in all regards. Well-planned and documented training and drills should be a requirement not to be taken lightly. That training should include precautions regarding false accusations.
• To have cameras of every angle of every room to confirm anything that may have happened or did not is an absurd suggestion. Having no cameras is reckless and provides evidence for a charge of no priority on safety and security. Cameras must be carefully thought through, prudently placed, and properly monitored with sensible viewing, storing and retrieval of video.
• We can’t avoid every lawsuit. We can prepare carefully to make certain we have ample documentation and good standards. Again – always include an attorney and your insurance provider in the early stages of your security planning. What works well is to have an attorney in your church serve as a volunteer on your security team. Not on patrol – just as an advisor who is copied on all security team communications, and has a hand in policy development.