With the uptick of terror attacks against religious-based organizations, the FBI held an informational meeting between law enforcement and religious leaders from across the country Tuesday, hoping to expand its programs to include places of worship.
“Everyone who attends a service deserves the right to do so in peace,” said Assistant Director Kerry Sleeper of the FBI’s Office of Partner Engagement. “That’s certainly our common goal here as we move forward.”
The catalyst for formalizing the initiative, which intends to prepare congregations for possible attacks, can largely be attributed to shootings that took place at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wis., in 2012; a Sutherland Springs church in 2017; a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018; and, most recently, another synagogue in Poway, Calif., this past April.
#FBI and faith-based leaders collaborated recently discussing how to keep houses of worship safe from attacks. The FBI offered suggestions on steps religious institutions can take to protect themselves and their congregants: https://t.co/byc93cx1xr
— FBI (@FBI) June 21, 2019
The FBI said that during the Sutherland Springs shooting, many churchgoers took cover behind pews, making them easier targets for the gunman, who was stopped by an armed civilian, Stephen Willeford.
A similar preparedness helped save lives during the shooting inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Active shooter training was put in place last October, according to Michael Masters, who is the executive director of Secure Community Network, a security organization for Jewish institutions.
“Many of them credit that training with helping save their lives,” Masters said.
A few weeks before the attack took place, a security review advised that several emergency exits needed to be cleared. Additionally, the synagogue’s rabbi, who did not ordinarily carry a phone on Sabbath, was told he should.
During the shooting, the rabbi used the phone to call 911.
The FBI has already been in a similar informative dialogue with local law enforcement, school security personnel, and private organizations. Religious organizations are the next step for the program.
Rev. Markel Hutchins, founder of One Congregation, One Precinct, an Atlanta-based organization that promotes police-community relationships, highlighted the eagerness seen among worshipers to protect themselves.
“I think one of the benefits of this much-needed conversation is that the FBI and other agencies got a better sense of the enthusiasm that faith communities have to prepare themselves to prevent attacks,” said Hutchins.
