Group says many Valley churches don’t have active shooter protocols
Nov 8, 2017, 4:26 AM | Updated: 11:50 am
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
PHOENIX — Many Valley churches don’t have security protocols for active shooters, according to an expert with a church preparedness group.
John Phelps of the Phoenix-based Christian Emergency Network said it was important for church leaders to be proactive and have guidelines in place for emergency situations.
“This isn’t about making someone feel like they’re in prison,” Phelps said. “It’s about having a relaxed vigilance to keep an eye open for things that could cause a concern for a child or a whole congregation.”
The group offers to create safety protocols for churches that don’t have a plan. The process starts with a survey to determine the current level of a church’s security.
“Our organization, in collaboration with the Arizona Counterterrorism Information Center and the Phoenix Police Department, have a structured plan to do what is called threat assessments in local churches.”
There are several different steps of the assessment process that vary in intensity and could include a visit from local law enforcement.
After the assessment, they help the churches come up with a readiness model.
“We help churches create safety and security teams and structures,” he said. “To have individuals in churches be ready, to have the complete church be ready and to collaborate with a group of churches to have a city ready.”
The assessment could result in new security measures being put into place.
“Are there protocols in place for lockdowns? Are there protocols in place for an active shooter? ” he said. “How do we protect the entrances to all of the open areas to our facilities and then how to mitigate the threat should it occur?”
In addition to new safety procedures, Phelps said a security team — armed or not — or police officers could be put in place.
Anyone with questions can email Phelps.