As I look at recent events happening on a worldwide basis, it is becoming apparent that we must consider raising the security level for the near future. When an active shooter event occurs, we frequently have a second or third copycat event. This week we had a shooting at Fort Hood, Texas followed by a office shooting in Florida the next day. I am concerned that an unstable individual might decide that it is time or commit a similar event at one of our churches. Please pay close attention for the next few week to any unusual circumstances. The week’s shooting sprees include:
Fort Hood, Texas shooting spree
13 killed and 38 wounded!
The Army psychiatrist suspected of being the lone gunman in a horrific massacre at Fort Hood in Texas took a “very calm and measured approach” to carrying out the mass shooting, the commanding general said Friday.
Survivors of the rampage that killed 13 and wounded 30 said the suspect, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, shouted “Allahu Akbar!” – “God is great!” in Arabic – before opening fire, base commander Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said.
Cone said officials had not yet confirmed that Hasan, 39, made the comment. Authorities searched his apartment early Friday for clues but haven’t yet been able to talk to Hasan, who survived the shootings and was hospitalized on a ventilator.
The shooter reportedly files over 100 rounds during the event. Only the quick response of a female first responder prevented the death toll from growing further.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,572448,00.html?sPage=fnc/us/crime
Orlando Office Shooting
A gunman killed one and injured five, police said, in a shooting Friday at the Orlando offices of an engineering firm where the suspect was let go more than two years ago.
The shooting set off an intense manhunt Friday afternoon until the alleged gunman, Jason Rodriguez, 40, was arrested without incident at his mother’s Florida apartment building, police said.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,572605,00.html
In 2008 we had multiple shooting incidents at churches in March, May and November. We do not know if any of these shooting provided an incentive to others to copycat the initial shooting from that month or year.
Also consider the difficult times that we are living in and the personal suffering that is being experienced by many such as the concern for the economy, job loss, losses in retirement savings, marital issues and family,
As I review the events, I am very concerned that we are not through with violent events. Past history indicates that as an incident occurs, other people looks at that issue and for some reason decide to replicate that event. With that in mind, we must be very vigilent for the next several weeks.
1. Put additional staff in te Sacctuary, one close to the front and one in the rear at minimum.
2. Do not allow unknown people to approach the podium or stage.
3. Keep security staff in the foyers and parking lots.
4. If you are not using radios for discrete communication, you need to start soon.
5. Be aware of your surroundings and the people in them.
6. Be on the look out for inappropriate conduct and suspicious activities such as people in unusual areas of the church, or sitting alone in a car in the church parking lot and surrounding streets.
7. Also, recognize the potential areas of concern such as the back parking lots, balconies, back stage areas or baptisteries.
8. Watch for people wearing unusual clothes that could hide weapons.
9. Watch for large packages such as duffle bags, music instrument cases that could hide a rifle or shotgun.
10. Watch for people that appear to be very emotional or distressed as well as displaying signs of unrest such as sweating or nervously glancing in all directions.
11. Watch for people entering after the start of the service.
12. Consider reducing the number of unlocked doors and funnel members and guests through one or two doors that are being watched by the greeters and security team members.
13. Make sure that you have medical staff available if possible.
Above All
Know that God will watch over us and trust that he puts one of us in place if a wolf decides to attack our church.
Plan for the worst possible situation
and
Pray for Gods best for the church.
For Christ Our Savior
Sincerely
Jack and Glen
