Places of worship and other religious organizations are commonly thought of as places of peace. The unfortunate reality is that many times these sites are targets for those with evil intentions. Some religious places are targeted for violence by those opposed to that particular religion. Some religious places experience crimes because they are located in high-crime neighborhoods or engage in outreach efforts in areas with high crime levels. Finally, some individuals with criminal intentions are drawn to these locations to try to take advantage of the caring and generous spirits of the individuals they find there.

This webinar will address the prevalence of crimes committed at places of worship, the types of crime are encountered most frequently, and the typical safety precautions taken by religious institutions. It will briefly discuss how to conduct a comprehensive security assessment survey of your place of worship. It will also include a case review of the 2015 shooting of 10 people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, with recommendations on how to reduce the likelihood of future such events.