Preservation Matters: Protecting People from Malicious Acts

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Types of Malicious Acts

Malicious acts may target places of worship because of their religious identity or function or they may take place there for unrelated reasons. Places of worship may be viewed as “soft” or “easy” targets for intentional attacks.

Types of malicious acts against people:

• Shootings

• Bombings

• Arson

• Violent protests

• Domestic violence

• Cyberattacks

Reasons for malicious acts against people (examples):

• The position of the place of worship on controversial political or social topics. An active shooter may target a place of worship out of anger or local protests may spill over into violence.

• Cultural and religious differences and intolerance, as seen with assaults on mosques, synagogues, or historically Black churches in the United States. Some places of worship may be targeted because of their historic value to their communities.

• External factors, such as persons with drug abuse issues or mental illnesses, domestic abuse situations (including child custody disputes), etc.

• No rationale. Some malicious acts against places of worship are not given any explanation. As such, they can be very unpredictable.

Places of worship are social institutions, where people gather for religious ceremonies, communal worship, and social events. Places of worship can also be the target of malicious acts that put people at serious risk, such as with active shooter scenarios. Striking the right balance between ensuring adequate security and maintaining a welcoming and open nature can be a challenge for historic places of worship.

Creating a safe and secure environment is not unlike security planning for other types of buildings. This document serves as an introductory guide for protecting people at your historic place of worship. It identifies types of safety and security risks, lists questions for risk assessment, and provides protection recommendations that reflect the needs specific to historic places of worship.

Law enforcement officers at a community night event. Natchitoches, LA.

Mary F. Striegel, NPS

Risk Assessment

Though there have been notable attacks against places of worship in recent years, it is important to realize that the risk is nevertheless statistically low. A risk assessment can help determine appropriate preventative measures for your place of worship. Some considerations include:

Who to consult:

• Involve law enforcement personnel and/

• or security professionals to determine vulnerabilities at your place of worship and to identify appropriate countermeasures.

• Consult mental health services to recognize and handle persons with mental illnesses or substance abuse issues.

Congregation member monitoring the property.

Mary F. Striegel, NPS

What and where to assess: Take note of vulnerabilities in the outer, middle, and inner perimeters of the site.

Outer: Refers to the edges of the property, parking lot, and all outdoor areas not immediately bordering the building. Questions to consider include:

• Is the outer perimeter well established? What features designate the perimeter (fence, gate, natural materials like trees and bushes, etc.)?

• Does the place of worship have visual access to the outer perimeter?

• Is the outer perimeter well lit?

• Are public and private areas clearly separated?

Middle: Refers to areas outside of but bordering on the main building(s), such as walkways, walls, doors, and play areas. Questions to consider include:

• When and how are entrance points locked and unlocked?

• Can entrance points be quickly closed and locked in the event of an emergency?

• Is there an alarm system in place?

• Do visitors have easy access to flammable materials, such as gasoline used for a lawnmower?

Inner: Refers to areas inside the main building(s). Questions to consider include:

• Is there a reception area or someone who welcomes and monitors visitors inside the place of worship?

• Who has access to vulnerable areas, like offices and areas with children?

• What is the key control system?

• Are escape routes clearly marked?

Not all risks come from the outside. Assess risks from within and outside of your community.

Risk Mitigation

Threats to places of worship are dynamic. Mitigating against malicious acts will require a plan that needs to be revisited regularly and easily adapted to evolving contexts. Aspects to consider include:

A camera from a security system that is monitoring the property.

Mary F. Striegel, NPS

CCTV System:

• Consider installing a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, especially in vulnerable areas, such as access points (windows, doors), offices, and areas with children.

• Minimize physical and visual impact of installation by finding discreet areas, such as bell towers, or existing openings in the building walls, such as putlog holes (small holes in walls intended to support scaffolding).

• CCTV is an expensive security measure; a cheaper option is to install a camera
  with audio that can be monitored from a cell phone. This option also avoids the need to install wiring in your historic building.

Protective glazing:

• In the event of a blast, the addition of protective glazing to your stained-glass windows could prevent shards of glass from raining on visitors.

• However, the installation of protective glazing is controversial as it can cause preservation issues (see the Preservation Matters Brief “Historic Places of Worship: Protective Glazing of Stained Glass”).

A man enters the building using a secure access code.

Mary F. Striegel, NPS

Building additions or modifications:

Improving safety and security measures at historic places of worship can be particularly challenging. Installations may threaten the historic character or structure of the site, and security changes could negatively impact religious use and access. Carefully assess security improvements to avoid potential damage to the building and its use. Improvements can vary in ease of installation and financial cost. Examples include:

Alarm system:

• Consider installing a basic burglar and fire alarm. Avoid wire installation in your historic place of worship by using a radio fire alarm system, which uses radio frequencies.

• A key-code entry system may be appropriate, which indicates when someone has entered or when a door is unlocked, or panic alarms, which could be used to initiate emergency procedures.

A metal fence helps secure the property

Mary F. Striegel, NPS

Focus on visitors:

If acts of terrorism are a concern for your historic place of worship, “bomb-proofing” the building and its perimeter may be difficult, expensive, and too invasive. Consider shifting your attention from protecting the building itself to a focus on visitor access, patterns, and flow. This focus will help identify who has access to the building and at what times. Some recommendations include:

• Focus on the perimeter line and entrance, as most attacks take place long these two lines. Secure the perimeter using gates, fences, and pollards, and protect the building through landscape features such as trees and planters, while balancing the added security provided by these features and their potential impact on the landscape’s historic character.

• Ensure modifications do not threaten the historic character of the landscape; for instance, installations should maintain a safe distance from historic trees and shrubs.

• Block roads at particularly popular times of the year. Have volunteers direct traffic and parking, while also monitoring for suspicious behavior.

Reduce access points to the building while maintaining compliance with fire codes. Only open doors near the area being used

Involve your community:

Members of the local community are great resources for assisting in monitoring and protecting your place of worship. Some recommendations include:

Form a security team and include religious leaders, worshipers, security professionals, law enforcement personnel, etc. Look for people in your community with strong people skills, good judgment, and a keen ability to read situations. Consider the following:

• Appoint a “security leader.”

• Schedule regular meetings.

• Clearly identify each person’s role and responsibilities.

• Establish a serving schedule.

• Determine security improvements and develop procedures for different types of emergencies.

• Clearly identify the team’s position on using force and carrying a concealed weapon in your place of worship.

Form a welcoming committee by having on-site personnel and volunteers welcome and greet visitors. This setup not only helps monitor who is coming in and out of the building, but it reflects the open and welcoming nature of your place of worship. These individuals can also help out in the event of an emergency.

Ensure personnel and volunteers undergo safety and security training and guidance.

Have members identify suspicious behavior, such as persons using recording equipment in or near the place of worship for extended periods of time, or the presence of unintended or suspicious packages.

Improve communication:

Ensure any safety concerns and risks, as well as security additions, modifications, and procedures are communicated to relevant parties. Identify methods for communicating incidents to internal staff, and separate ones for external members, media, and the local community. Improve communication channels with the following groups:

• Neighboring places of worship: They can indicate what security issues they have been facing as well as measures taken in response. Share resources and create a neighborhood watch that helps protect multiple places of worship.

• Local law-enforcement personnel: They can help you conduct a risk assessment of the building and grounds and determine a plan of action. They should be involved in any contingency plans. Notify them of special events.

• Local community: They can be the eyes and ears of your security program. They can serve as volunteers on your security team or welcoming committee.

Media: They should only be consulted through a designated spokesperson, who will issue statements with local law enforcement. Ensure others refrain from contacting media, to maintain control on what information is shared (for instance, to protect victims). If an incident occurs, ensure families are notified prior to contact with media.

Online Monitoring:

• Take precautions to avoid cyberattacks or to ensure information is secured if an attack does occur. Precautions include regularly backing up information, using and updating virus and malware protection, ensuring computers are password protected, regularly changing passwords, etc.

• Monitor what is being said about your place of worship in case any online forums or social media platforms indicate harmful intentions.

Always test out any security methods and procedures on a regular basis. Repair broken equipment and modify ineffective procedures. Risk mitigation should always be dynamic: revisit and adapt as needed.

Remember: Many places of worship only introduce safety or security measures when a specific threat emerges. However, introducing systems and procedures as prevention, rather than as a response, could help mitigate potential future attacks, protect your historic place of worship, and save lives.

References

Crosbie, Michael J. “Protecting Religious Spaces: What Every Designer of Sacred Places Should Consider.” Common Edge, 31 Oct 2018. Online: https://commonedge. org/protecting-religious-spaces-what-every-designer-of-sacred-places-should-consider.

Historic England. “Security and Place of Worship.” Online: https://historicengland. org.uk/advice/caring-for-heritage/places-of-worship/making-changes-to-your-place-of-worship/advice-by-topic/security/.

Houses of Worship Committee. “Recommended Best Practices for Securing Houses of Worship Around the World For People of All Faiths.” (Alexandria, VA: ASIS Cultural Properties Council, 2017).

Parkinson, David. “Protecting Your Church from Vandals.” Historic Churches, 2008. Online: https://www.buildingconservation. com/articles/vandals/vandals.htm.

“Security and Religious Facilities: Providing Safety and Sanctuary.” 6 Dec 2006. Online: https://www.buildings.com/articles/35318/security-and-religious-facilities-providing-safety-and-sanctuary.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Infrastructure Protection. “Houses of Worship Security Practices Guide.” May 2013.

Author and Editor

Author: Stephanie Machabee, Yale University
Series Editor: Kirk A. Cordell, NCPTT Executive Director
Cover Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christchurch_mosque_shootings_-_Vigil_at_Basin_Reserve.jpg

About NCPTT
The National Center for Preservation Tech-nology and Training (NCPTT) is a research, technology and training center within the National Park Service. NCPTT publishes its Preservation Matters Series to provide easily accessible guidelines for preserving cultural materials.