Virginia Churches Update Security Measures

Virginia Churches Update Security Measures

“An off-duty police officer in uniform,” Fr. Steve DeLeon said. "It's sad. It’s supposed to be a place of worship where everybody should feel safe, but I think we are living in different times."

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Dec 10, 2018

Several churches in Hampton Roads, Va., are working to improve safety and security for their congregations following an increase in shootings at houses of worship.

Last year, 26 people were killed at a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and earlier this year 11 people were killed in an attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Fr. Steve DeLeon of Star of the Sea Catholic Church at the Oceanfront said the synagogue shooting drove home how important security is for places of worship.

"I think that was the last straw. I said, ‘No, we have to do this. We have to do this,’" DeLeon said.

Star of the Sea now has a Virginia Beach police officer guarding the door during weekend services.

“An off-duty police officer in uniform,” DeLeon said. "It's sad. It’s supposed to be a place of worship where everybody should feel safe, but I think we are living in different times."

Star of the Sea is the first church in its diocese to add armed security but not the first in Hampton Roads, and other area churches are working on their security.

About 40 faith-based organizations attended a training Thursday hosted by Newport News Police. The training focused on what to do during an active shooter incident, crime prevention tips and how to put together a security plan.

Star of the Sea has asked Virginia Beach police to assess the layout of the sanctuary for safety and security. In addition, church doors are now locked during services.

DeLeon said the response from congregants has been positive, and that some church members who have military experience have offered their assistance.

"People I think appreciated that. In fact, they said they’d been waiting for that,” DeLeon said. "We will continue to pray that peace will reign and eventually we will stop doing this.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.