The recent wave of Alabama church arsons has made many congregations question the safety of their buildings and ask what they can do to prevent such unlawful acts. While experts say there is no guaranteed way to prevent criminal damage to churches, they offer several suggestions to increase safety and help congregations deter arsonists, burglars and other vandals.
In a fact sheet recently released by GuideOne Insurance, arson was named as the “leading cause of commercial building fires, with over 37,500 structure fires intentionally set in the United States each year.”
The company noted that churches and religious organizations are vulnerable to this activity because “buildings are often unoccupied, activity schedules are predictable and security systems are often lacking.” Many times, churches are also targeted due to their beliefs, according to GuideOne.
Experts believe, however, that establishing an arson and crime prevention program can lower the chances of criminal activity on church properties. GuideOne encourages churches to focus on lockup, lighting, landscaping, lookout and law enforcement.
As coordinator of annuity and insurance services for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, Jim Swedenburg fully supports this advice. “Probably the best of all the ideas is to have better locks, steel-clad doors and to have a lot of light around the church,” he said. “Many churches will put one security light somewhere on the parking lot, and you really need four — one on each corner of the property — facing the building.”
Swedenburg noted that making those basic changes and creating a good church-watch program in which people “keep an eye on the church” is a good plan, especially for secluded churches, which may be more vulnerable to crime. He also encouraged churches to install alarm systems, which can help prevent and sometimes even solve crimes.
Duane Schliep, pastor of Rehobeth Baptist Church, Randolph (near Lawley), in Bibb Baptist Association, learned the importance of the five tips from GuideOne firsthand after his church was destroyed by an arsonist Feb. 3. He said the church is preparing to build a more secure facility, including larger, halogen exterior lights; a monitored alarm system; reinforced glass and safer doors.
“We’re going to make sure that all the doors open outward, which would make it (harder to break into),” Schliep said. “Also all the glass will be reinforced or some type of safety glass that will not be easily broken.”
He said that if arsonists can be kept out of the building, then fires are much easier to prevent. “An arsonist would rather set the fire on the interior because it will give them more time to get away before the fire is noticed,” Schliep said.
Dave Rickey, vice president of public relations for Montgomery-based Alfa Insurance, said church leaders should remember common-sense safety measures like the ones applied at home. “Walk around your property and ask yourself ‘would this help someone trying to break in?’”
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Tips for preventing harm to church property
Building Exterior
- Illuminate exterior buildings, doors and parking lots from sunset to sunrise.
- Install motion-activated lighting near doors and windows.
- Keep doors and windows locked when the building is unoccupied.
- Trim shrubs and trees to eliminate potential hiding places.
- Keep track of and limit the disbursement of building keys.
- Make sure doors are of solid-core construction, are outfitted with quality deadbolt locks and, if hinged on the outside, tamper-proof hinges.
- Utilize wire-mesh glass in windows.
- Store ladders and tools inside the building.
- Keep the property free from trash and other potentially combustible debris.
- Install video security cameras at entrances and other key areas.
- Park church vehicles in a variety of locations on-site to vary routine.
Building Interior
- Leave interior entry lights on overnight.
- Lock flammable liquids in a closet or cabinet away from any heat sources.
- Install a central station monitored security/fire detection system and sprinkler fire suppression system.
- Use timers for lights and/or radios during evening hours.
- Look for items that appear out of place or out of the ordinary.
General Precautions
- Ask church neighbors to alert police if anything suspicious is seen.
- Develop positive relationships with local law enforcement and invite them to patrol the property overnight.
- Establish a “Church Watch” program so members will drive through the property at various times.
Source: GuideOne Insurance
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