Church Security - Overt or Covert?

Here are some picture examples of both kinds of security teams.  They should be fairly obvious.  What I'd like to point out are some of the positives and negatives with each approach.  All in an effort to help you decide which strategy fits your church the best.  Just FYI, some of these will seem redundant.  The positive of one can actually become the negative of the other.  You'll get the idea.  Enjoy.

OVERT - Positives 

1.  People can not question who is in the authority position.  It's obvious through the way they dress.

2.  Attenders know exactly who to talk to if there's a problem.

3.  Bandits might think twice before causing trouble.  They can see from a distance that their crimes will be met with appropriate aggression.  Team members as deterrents. 

4.  If police or firefighters have to respond to your church, they will quickly be able to see who the good guys are.  This is especially helpful in the case of an active killer situation.

OVERT - Negatives

1.  People don't want to feel like they are being "policed".  Especially in church.

2.  The idea of a security team at a church can be a real turn-off to people.  

3.  Bandits know exactly who to target first when they attack.  Take out the opposition. 

4.  When people see that a church has a security team they usually wonder what's happened in the past or is happening currently that they need to be concerned about.  Are my children safe in this place?  Wait! Do these guys carry guns!?  

COVERT - Positives

1.  Very few people know you have a security team.  So there's really nothing for them to be worried about.  All seems normal here.  They can relax and be themselves.  New folks should feel welcome in your church.

2.  Tactical Advantage.  Bandits have no idea your safety team spotted them before they even entered the building, and have been watching their every move.

3.  Your safety team blends in with everyone else.  They are dressed similarly, (except for maybe a name badge) they talk and act like every other person in the church.  No one is scared or intimidated by their presence.  They could and probably should be part of your welcome team.

4.  They can carry radios and weapons concealed and no one is the wiser.  After-all, what's the point of having security if you don't give them the tools they need to protect themselves and others?

COVERT - Negatives

1.  It can be very difficult and dangerous for your safety team in the midst of an active killer situation.  The cops are running in looking for the guys with guns.  If your team is responding to the threat with their weapons drawn, they could get shot accidentally by the police.

2.  There can be a moment of confusion at the outset of an incident while the safety team asserts it's authority, due to the fact that parishioners can't tell who they are.

3.  If attenders have a problem or need help with something, they will tend to approach the closest person with a name badge on. This could be confusing for both parties.  

4.  Training intensive.  (not sure this is really a negative) This approach requires a good deal of training to make sure that your safety team members understand their roles completely.  They need to have appropriate responses mapped out for them so there is less confusion for the attender or individual having a problem.

5.  Bandits may feel a bit more freedom to attack your church because they assume you don't have security in place.

My opinion, after researching both options extensively, is that a Covert safety team is more advantageous.  The tactical and strategic options available to the covert team far outweigh the overt team's "officer presence" model.  Also, I can not overstate the importance of making new people feel welcome in your church.  We should be all about sharing Jesus with others.  That's the goal - period.

We will have a much harder time of this if people feel like they are being watched.

WWW.KINGDOMSHIELD.ORG

The Proposal

Let's talk about proposals.  No not the marriage kind.  No not the corporate sales pitch, though that's not far off.  I'm referring to the way you approach the leadership of your church with the idea of developing a safety and security team ministry. 

If you have had any kind of security related mishap or incident prior to your proposal, things should be easier for you.  It's not hard to convince leadership of the need for a safety team when you've just had an attempted child abduction.  On the flip side, If your small church is located in a remote rural area and the biggest safety threat you've ever experienced was mended with a bandaid, then you have your work cut out for you.

Here are a few tips:

1.  The ask should come from a member in good standing.  One that is highly involved in the life of the church.  One that serves unselfishly and gives generously.  This person should have the confidence to approach the pastor or deacons or elders and give them a well thought out summary of why it's in the church's best interest to build a safety team ministry.

2.  Know your facts.  Do some research on church crimes.  Understand the demographic of the people in your community and your church.  Be able to describe the types of crimes that are probably going to happen at your facility.  Don't worry about what could "possibly" happen.  That list will be overwhelming and a bit pointless.

3.  Develop a job description.  The first thing through the minds of leadership will probably be something about mall cops with guns.  You need to help them understand the level of professionalism and hospitality that your team will display.  They need to know that you're not just creating a good ole boys gun club.

4.  Be prepared with a basic budget.  Right after "mall cops with guns" will be "how much is this going to cost?"  I suggest doing some research on radio communication first.  In my opinion, equipping your team with a means of talking to each other discreetly should be a priority.  It's also one of the most expensive pieces of gear you will need to purchase.  Your budget could include things like radios, earpieces, flashlights, pepper spray, and training courses.  

5.  Be ready with a list of other "members in good standing".  Your leadership will want to know that you have chosen solid, responsible, trustworthy people to back you up.  I suggest you search your congregation for cops, firefighters, nurses, and those with past military experience.  These people tend to be great safety team members due to the nature of their occupations.  You also want an elder or staff member on the team for oversight.  

Church safety teams are more common now than ever, and it's not hard to point out the rise in violent crime all across the nation.  You know a safety team ministry is a good idea; now step up and take it on yourself to convince others of the importance.  Take your time.  Do your research.  Good Luck!!