Protecting Your Organization

If you host overnight guests, you owe them the security of a locked front door and a fire alarm. So too, if you are the leader of a religious institution – a synagogue, private school, church, community or social services center – you have a responsibility to protect those who come through your doors. This responsibility is massively magnified in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war and the resultant rise in hate crimes in the U.S. and worldwide, which renders nearly every religious institution vulnerable to attack.

So, how can you fulfill your responsibility and protect your members?

Organize a formal or informal Security Committee for your facility to organize and spearhead security efforts.

Review state and federal recommendations for faith-based organizations.

Connect with local security coalitions.

Obtain an assessment of your facility that will review the overall threat environment, identify your risks, pinpoint security vulnerabilities, and recommend security measures to “harden” your facility. This assessment is typically referred to as a TVRA (Threat, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment) and is usually completed by a security professional.

Consider applying for federal or state security grants.

Still not sure how to proceed? FGS has close to 20 years of experience in writing security grants. We can provide guidance and resources for obtaining your TVRA and for connecting with security coalitions in your area.