Michigan Church Incident Leads to More Efficient Security

Michigan Church Incident Leads to More Efficient Security

An incident that resulted in cancelled Sunday services leads to more effective security and advice from local police.

A recent incident at a Grand Haven, Mich. church that resulted in the cancellation of Sunday services is making church leaders and members think twice about security and ask for advice from local police. 

On the Sunday before the New Year, a 32-year-old man entered St. Patrick's-St. Anthony's Catholic Church where he destroyed a couple of televisions and a chair and attempted to attack an employee inside the building. 

The days' services were cancelled as a result of the fireworks the suspect had thrown around the perimeter of the church. Police needed to evacuate the area as Michigan State Police and explosive-sniffing K-9s checked the campus. 

"It's probably long overdue that the churches start paying attention to their security," Grand Haven Department of Public Safety Capt. Clint Holt said. "It's nothing against the churches, it's due to the circumstances in the world today."

The church does have automatic locking doors, but on the morning of the incident the doors were unlocked as employees readied themselves for the services. 

Holt advises the church to limit points of access for members and employees so security can keep a better eye on those coming and going from the building. 

"We have to take the precautions to keep out own people safe," Holt said. "The church is an attractive target for somebody who has ill intent."

This is because churches are soft targets with not many places to lock down for safety. 

Holt has conducted a number of active shooter trainings at local schools and businesses, all based on the avid/deny/defend principles. He has begun the training sessions at churches in the area as well.

"With a larger church, you have to be more trained people available," Hold said. "But, there are also more people you don't know. All this has to be taken seriously."


About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • 12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    Understanding crime statistics in your industry and area is crucial for making important decisions about your security budget. With so much information out there, how can you know which statistics to trust? Read Now

  • Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    In alignment with the state of Mississippi’s mission of “Empowering Mississippi citizens to stay connected and engaged with their government,” Salient's CompleteView VMS is being installed throughout more than 150 state boards, commissions and agencies in order to ensure safety for thousands of constituents who access state services daily. Read Now

  • Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    This year’s Live From GSX program was a rousing success! Again, we’d like to thank our partners, and IPVideo, for working with us and letting us broadcast their solutions to the industry. You can follow our Live From GSX 2023 page to keep up with post-show developments and announcements. And if you’re interested in working with us in 2024, please don’t hesitate to ask about our Live From programs for ISC West in March or next year’s GSX. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • People Say the Funniest Things

    People Say the Funniest Things

    By all accounts, GSX version 2023 was completely successful. Apparently, there were plenty of mix-ups with the airlines and getting aircraft from the East Coast into Big D. I am all ears when I am in a gathering of people. You never know when a nugget of information might flip out. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

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

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles. 3

  • 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. 3