Gideon Protective Services, Inc. Blog

Why Does a Church Need a Security Team?

Published on 2011-09-12 23:47:24

Reprinted with permission by Mars Hill Church on Thursday, May 5th, 2011 12:00 pm by Nate Finn “Why does a church need a security team??” That question is mostly asked incredulously when people visit one of our campuses and see a team of usually large guys wearing polo shirts in the lobby, the children’s ministry, and the sanctuary. Security within our church can be a misunderstood concept. Many people believe that security does not belong in the church. On the one hand, there are people

Deadly Shooting Targets Congresswoman in Tucson, Arizona

Published on 2011-01-12 14:44:23

On 8 January 2011, Jared Lee Loughner reportedly shot U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords in the head during her constituent meeting outside a Safeway grocery store in Tucson, Arizona. Loughner, using a Glock Model 19 9mm handgun with extended magazine, allegedly shot 18 additional individuals, resulting in six dead, including Federal Judge John Roll, and 12 wounded.  Loughner was captured and arrested at the scene.  Giffords apparently did not have a Security Director on her staff and rare

Holiday Shopping and Security Awareness

Published on 2010-12-06 19:12:38

Shopping centers by nature present a unique challenge to security personnel, as they allow for open and unrestricted public access.  Holiday periods and other special events can be particularly challenging as shopping centers experience a greater influx of people in their facilities.  The following are key common vulnerabilities of shopping centers that could be exploited by terrorists or other adversaries: • Unrestricted public access at most entry points does not allow for screening of ind

Does Your Employer Help Protect You? What is a Survival Room?

Published on 2010-10-21 16:06:56

Have you ever thought about the fact crime happens all the time, all around us, whether were at work, at home, traveling in a vehicle, or even on vacation.  What would you do if the unthinkable happened at your place of employment?  Has your current employer taken the necessary steps to ensure all of its employees are safe?  Most people from all walks of life and most businesses have the mindset “it will never happen to me”. The auto parts giant AutoZone has taken a proactive step to impl

Shooting at California Mormon Church

Published on 2010-08-31 15:18:10

Unfortunately these stories keep coming into existence. On 8-29-10, Clay Sannar, 42, a lay bishop with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was doing administrative paperwork on Sunday between church services when a man came into the Visalia church and asked for a leader of the church.  After being directed to Sannar, the attacker shot and killed him.  After the shooting, a caller identified himself to police as the attacker. Police then responded and there was a confrontation with

Private Security May Have Stopped Work Place Violence Incident

Published on 2010-08-06 12:12:59

Shortly after 7:30 a.m. on August 3, 2010, Omar Thornton opened fire at employees at Hartford Distributors, a Budweiser warehouse in Manchester, CT.  Thornton was called in by his employer and shown video surveillance footage of him stealing beer from the facility.  After calmly signing a letter of resignation, and not contesting the accusations against him, Thornton opened fire on coworkers at the facility for a period spanning only minutes.  One witness suspected that Thornton was carrying

Another Violent Attack in a Church

Published on 2010-06-30 12:09:14

This will be the 32nd violent attack this year (2010) which this time took place in a Christian Church in Oklahoma.  A violent assault and rape was committed at Britton Baptist Church on one of its own church employees.  The victim went to open the church on a Tuesday morning and was attacked by an occasional (part time) employee who worked at the church in the past.    Thankfully the suspect was apprehended by Law Enforcement.  I don’t know about you, but this irritates me.  A church, w

California Executive Protection Firm Announces New Church Security Training Division

Published on 2010-05-27 23:08:52

Gideon Protective Services, Inc. will offer comprehensive church security training, security consulting and executive protection to churches and synagogues of all faiths. California- USA An executive protection and private security guard firm local to Southern California has announced its newest nationwide church security training division.  Since church violence is on the rise like never seen before, churches are starting Church Security and Safety Teams.  “It is a sad state of affairs when

More Security Awareness for Church Security Ministry Team Members

Published on 2010-05-10 16:12:41

Our next installment in Church Security Training involves basic security awareness.  The challenge placed on Church Security Ministry Teams is complex but can be summarized in four easy items: • Be Balanced • Be Knowledgeable • Be Realistic • Be Willing and Able These challenges can be accomplished by training your Church Security Ministry Team members to be observant, assess each situation as no two are ever alike, and then act in response to the situation based on prior training and s

Church Security Training

Published on 2010-04-09 12:10:48

Continuing on the topic of Church Security, one might ask why we need Church Security Ministry Teams.  Churches are recognizing that the present days are evil.  There is an increasing and alarming trend of violence towards all peoples of faith and church backgrounds.  To meet this challenge, churches are organizing and implementing church security ministry teams.  The member of their churches sacrifice their time and talents to provide a safe and peaceful worship atmosphere for all members a