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."

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

  • Progressing in Capabilities

    Progressing in Capabilities

    Hazardous areas within industries like oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and the like, have long-sought reliable video surveillance cameras and equipment that can operate safely in these harsh and unpredictable environments. Read Now

  • A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

    A Comprehensive Nationwide Solution

    Across the United States, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, truck yards, parking lots and car dealerships all have a common concern. They are targets for catalytic converters. In nearly every region, cases of catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed. Read Now

  • Planning for Your Perimeter

    Planning for Your Perimeter

    The perimeter is an organization’s first line of defense and a critical element of any security and surveillance program. Even if a building’s interior or exterior security is strong, without a solid perimeter surveillance approach any company or business is vulnerable. Read Now

  • The Key Issue

    The Key Issue

    It is February 2014. A woman is getting ready in her room on a cruise ship when she hears a knock on the door; it is a crewmember delivering breakfast. She is not presentable so she tells him to leave it by the door. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • XS4 Original+

    XS4 Original+

    The SALTO XS4 Original+ design is based on the same proven housing and mechanical mechanisms of the XS4 Original. The XS4 Original+, however, is embedded with SALTO’s BLUEnet real-time functionality and SVN-Flex capability that enables SALTO stand-alone smart XS4 Original+ locks to update user credentials directly at the door. Compatible with the array of SALTO platform solutions including SALTO Space data-on-card, SALTO KS Keys as a Service cloud-based access solution, and SALTO’s JustIn Mobile technology for digital keys. The XS4 Original+ also includes RFID Mifare DESFire, Bluetooth LE and NFC technology functionality. 3

  • SecureAuth

    SecureAuth

    The acceleration of digital transformation initiatives as a result of COVID-19 has created a lasting impact on how businesses empower their workforce and engage customers. 3

  • PDK IO Access Control Software

    PDK.IO Access Control Software

    ProdataKey now allows for "custom fields" within the interface of its pdk.io software. Custom fields increase PDK's solutions' overall functionality by allowing administrators to include a wide range of pertinent data associated with each user. 3