CPTED is an approach that considers environmental conditions and the opportunities they offer for crime or other unintended and undesirable behaviors. CPTED attempts to reduce or eliminate those opportunities by using elements of the environment to:
1) control access
2) provide opportunities to see and be seen
3) define ownership
4) encourage the maintenance of territory.
CPTED is unusual when compared with other crime prevention or security measures because it specifically focuses on aspects of the design, while the other measures tend to be directed at target hardening (e.g., denying access to a target using locks and bars; or using sensors and cameras to detect and identify an offender, supported by security guards). The basic principles of CPTED — territoriality, natural surveillance, defensible space, and maintenance — There is much information available in books and on the web for more detailed information, but I will do my best to summarize what you can quickly apply. Churches present their own unique challenges to crime prevention. While safety is often a high concern, the installation of oppressive high-security devices and programs are not desirable. The varied hours, and variety of usage and activities, make good designs all the more important. Most of us had no input to the original design of our churches but we can improve upon what is currently present. Natural Access Control • Highlight the main entrance in the design. Have it clearly marked. Limit the number of entrances and exits, both to the building and parking lots. • Require that visitors pass a "checkpoint" attended by those in authority. Set up stanchions or tables, gates etc. to block areas where you do not want people to walk to. You control where they go, if they are in an area blocked off, they have explaining to do. • Keep offices and other areas locked at all times! • Consider locking the doors of your church during services, have a greeter or safety team member posted at the door to “Greet” late comers with a smile. Natural Surveillance - Do not cover the entrance windows with posters and announcements that obstruct natural surveillance. We want to clearly see members or visitors as they approach. Territorial Reinforcement Keep parking lot surfaces in good condition. Clearly mark the parking spaces to convey a neat and orderly image. Have a sign that clearly identifies your church maintained. Maintenance • Remove graffiti within 24 hours of its appearance. • Use landscape plants chosen to mature within the available space. Cut down any bushes or trees that are blocking windows or doors clear view from the parking lot or street. Remember, you want to limit areas where bad guys can hide and make it clear that anyone can see you from outside, and provide no icing spot for anyone. Cut the underbrush too. This will show a clean, well maintained appearance. • Remove large loose rocks or items that can be used for breaking windows to gain access. Many times break ins are simply “opportunity crimes” and an unplanned break in may happen if you allow it to be done easily. • Lock up ladders stored outside so no one can simply take it to climb the onto the roof. • Keep maintenance sheds locked at all times and valuable items locked inside. • Maintain your lights around the building and especially at every door. 5 Foot candles is typically recommended, no worries trying to figure that out, simply make it very bright by the door and area around it but be sure to not cast the light too neighbors behind areas that abut houses. Deflectors are easy to add if needed, and inspect this at night. (Eliminate shadow areas where folks can hide, landscape lighting, accent lights etc. work great) Management • Ensure that all employees and volunteers are familiar with the security system to avoid false alarms. • Make sure someone maintains a list of those with keys or fobs.
Suspicious Behavior
What makes something suspicious? Well, simply put, anything you see that you feel is odd, different, out of place, you have a “gut feeling” about or the hair on the back of your neck stands up. Look I get it, we're in a church, God commands we love each other, we’re told not to worry about the splinter in another eye, our folks tell us not to judge a book by its cover. Yes, all true, but…we live in a crazy mixed up world, shootings in churches are on the rise and crazy exists all around us. Our job as safety or security members is to provide a safe environment for our community of church members. Seeing a loose carpet, a broken window, a wet floor etc. are easy to spot, necessary to report and look for, but reading folks you may know, or just met is equally important, and having a plan in advance is crucial in how to deal with some of these areas. Parking lot- This is where you first can spot something not right. A husband or wife in the car flailing their hands and their mouth looking like they are yelling. Yup, this happens, do you stop them after they enter once they decide to come in? Absolutely not! But, I would absolutely monitor them in a very inconspicuous way and mention it to another team member or to a church officer. I also recommend you glance at both adults and any kids and aside from red eyes from crying, see if there are any marks visible. If so, what is your plan? You need one for sure. Perhaps if it is a wife with a hand print, you can get a female staff member to try and catch her alone and ask if everything is ok. A church Elder or pastor can have a conversation with the man, if it is obvious you truly need to do something or it may escalate later and you have not helped anyone. Walk in for help or information- A regular occurrence at most churches, but if the person seems high on drugs, drunk, agitated or just plain good, what do you do? We like to use a ruse where if I see this happening, I walk near to where the walk in is standing and a bit behind in their blind spot, but about six feet away. The person engaged in the conversation will see me and may say “Hey Craig, can you bring our blue book, I couldn’t find it, thanks” They are signaling me that yes they need me to stay near. Id simply walk away for about 10 seconds and return and make an excuse up “Hey, I just remembered Jenny brought. It home yesterday”, then I hang around, and if need be step away and call 9-1-1 if its that bad, or be there. If the person engaged has difficulty dealing with this person, then you might enter into the conversation. Remember, don’t talk to an agitated person as if they were a two year old, but don’t start shouting back either. Remain neutral and be honest. Say things such as “Im sorry to hear that” or Ask what exactly they would like from you to help them. If they need a ride, never let just one person drive them anywhere if they are acting out of sorts. Do you have an off duty officer around? A fireman? A Social worker? Maybe call for them to assist. Do they have a gun?- A lot of people do carry them, how do you respond? Are they known to you as being a Police Officer? Look at bags being carried in that seem overly heavy. What’s in there? You need to be observant and know what your team will do. Have discussions with each other before this happens. Is someone approaching the building with a weapon out? If your doors are locked, you bought yourself a little bit of time, how fast can you lock the sanctuary doors now and evacuate this inside? Where will they go? Who is calling 9-1-1? Scenarios can go on and on, but the bottom line is to be prepared will help to minimize the end results of encounters such as these. Practice, rehearse and discuss how to handle situations and you are better prepared. Your local Police Department may be able to assist or you can get training through various church Security coalitions. Go, train, learn and encourage and beg staff members and members of your team to join you in this training. You should train or meet at least once a year at minimum but the more frequent the better. An expression I always told folks is this “When in doubt call the Police out”. They are trained and can ensure the ultimate safety for all. You are not expected to be prepared for every scenario but the Police Officers can only help you if they are there. Don’t wait until a full fight or argument is going on, it will be the longest 3-5 minutes of your life!
Submitted by; Sergeant Craig Gunty (Retired) 32years in Law Enforcement Nationally certified Crime Prevention Specialist C.P.T.E.D.