SOCIAL JUSTICE AND POLITICAL ADVOCACY WORKING GROUP
Houses of Worship Security Self Assessment Information.
When you think about a faith-based institution's security plans on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being “call 911” to 10 “having all the bells and whistles of security”, where do you think most institutions lie?
Be prepared to tell your faith-based security ministry story.
Prepare three lists: Security-self-assessment
​Actual Assessment list
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Prepare an actual assessment list i.e.
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do you have exit signs,
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do you have emergency weather plans,
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what type of lighting do you have inside and out,
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do you have a surveillance system, etc.?
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What are the ages of these items you have, when is the last time you check them, etc.
Because if you don’t know what you have or don’t have, you don’t know what to ask for.You need to know what makes sense for your facility and congregation.
Reasonable assessment list
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Prepare a reasonable list of what you want to add to improve, fix and enhance for your current situation.
Wish list
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Prepare a wish list of what you want.This list will be for future growth and changeself-assessment
​Prepare your pricing list
Start researching costs for the items you want to add and purchase
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Communication: Two-way radios with earpieces.
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Identification: Uniformed apparel, vests, or badges.
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Lighting: High-intensity tactical flashlights.
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Safety/Tools: Breakaway lanyards (for IDs), tactical pens, and multi-tools.
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Medical: IFAK (Individual First Aid Kits) and tourniquets.
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Cameras: IP cameras, including dome (indoors) and bullet (perimeter) cameras with night vision.
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Access Control: Smart locks, key card systems, and magnetic door locks.
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Intrusion Detection: Motion detectors and door/window sensors.
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Panic Buttons: Strategically placed buttons in the sanctuary, nursery, and offices.
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Lighting: Motion-activated, bright lights for parking lots and entryways.
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Fire Safety: Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and suppression systems.
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Medical: AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) and wall-mounted first aid kits.
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Traffic/Parking: Traffic control wands, cones, and vests.
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Emergency Tools: Window punch/seatbelt cutters and blankets.
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Check-in System: Secure software for children's ministry.
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Forms: Incident report forms and background check checklists.
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Keys: Secure key management systems.
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Training:
Research your community census information: The American Community Survey is a good place to start.
Know your neighborhood
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Types of Neighborhood Data Available
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Demographics: Age, sex, race, ethnicity, and family structure.
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Economics: Median household income, poverty rate, employment status, and commuting patterns.
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Housing: Occupancy, homeownership rates, housing values, and costs.
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Social: Educational attainment, language spoken at home, and nativity (foreign-born).
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Neighborhood Neighborhood-level census data is accessed primarily through data.census.gov using Census Tracts or Blocks. The American Community Survey (ACS) provides annual updates on education, income, housing, and demographics, while the decennial census offers detailed population counts every 10 years.
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Municipal Safety Resources: Where are your police/sheriff departments in relation to your faith-based facility
Where to find the blank Houses of Worship self-assessment form
https://www.cisa.gov/houses-worship-security-self-assessment