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
  • December 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

  • Door Hardware and Campus Security: Enhancing Safety in Schools

    The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines. Read Now

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Read Now

Most   Popular