Places of worship are at risk in the United States
Most of us go to our places of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc.) with the hopes of feeling safe, protected, and surrounded by a community that cares for us. But what if something goes wrong? What if your community’s cherished and sacred place of worship becomes a place of danger and fear?
In recent years, the United States has appeared to have an increase in the number of shootings and life threatening emergencies at places of worship and other religious buildings. In early 2025 alone, there have been at least three significant major attacks on churches:
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- July 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky at Richmond Road Baptist Church
- August 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Annunciation Catholic Church and School
- September 2025 in Grand Blanc, Michigan at Grand Blanc Township Church
In each of these situations a place of peace and solace became a place of danger in a matter of seconds. No one wants to imagine that this could happen in their own religious community. What can you do to be prepared?
Is your faith community prepared for an emergency?
Of course none of us want to think about the possibility of a tragedy occurring in our place of worship. But can we prepare for this possibility? Can we make our communities safer, or at least better equipped to respond in the case of a life threatening emergency? Here are some steps you can take to prepare for an emergency in your community.
Safeguard your place of worship from unwanted violence
Be attentive
Do you know the people who come regularly to your place of worship? Greeters or ushers should watch carefully as people enter and leave the house of worship. Regular members should be aware of their surroundings when they are present.
Get to know your neighbors and members
Talk to people who come to your churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc. Young people who have almost become violent often report that a conversation with one friend changed their plans and the course of their lives. Show compassion to those you meet in a place of worship.
Members of faith communities who serve in significant paid or volunteer positions should be carefully interviewed and vetted before beginning in their position.
Be aware of all exits in the house of worship
Religious building staff should know all places where someone might enter or exit the building. Doors not in regular use should be kept locked from the outside.
Have an emergency plan
All staff in your place of worship should be trained in an emergency plan for a life threatening emergency. Volunteers should also receive training and be aware of the plan for the building.
Your church emergency plan should include a panic button app
If you have a life threatening emergency in your house of worship, you need help to arrive immediately. Your staff and volunteers should have a panic button app available on their phones to seek help from first law enforcement and responders at the touch of a button.
Guard911 is the only panic button app that is integrated with the federally approved Hero911 Network of over 70,000 first responders. It can provide immediate help at the touch of a button. Guard911 is the only app available that reduces notification time to help nearby responders arrive faster than traditional 911 dispatch – which is critical for saving lives.
No other emergency alert app offers this life-saving connection. Setup can be accomplished in a single day. When seconds save lives, Guard911 is the only solution for your church, synagogue, mosque, temple, and other places of worship.
Contact us to learn more about how you can safeguard your place of worship.
