Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Grove City, Ohio is comprised of seven buildings, which includes the church, preschool, elementary school, rectory, storage garage, athletic building and modular classrooms. With 28 exterior doors now encompassing the fully renovated church, school and preschool, the parish knew it was time for a substantial security upgrade.

Faith-based institutions need to be welcoming and inclusive with their duty of care to provide a safe space for worship, even with constraints on safety and security budgets in a non-profit environment.

There are many resources, techniques and practices that are no-cost or low-cost that houses of worship and faith-based communities can employ to protect their staff, community and their infrastructure. 

Across the United States, Americans congregate in houses of worship. However, those soft targets are vulnerable, and recently, have been attractive targets for crime, active shooters and other threats. 

An old wooden door is credited with helping to save lives during a shooting at a German synagogue.

More than 40 people joined together at God's Church Sunday in Victoria, Texas to train for an active shooter incident, says a news report. 

While places of worship have certainly been sites of active assailant incidents, they pose a unique conundrum to security advocates and congregations – how do you secure your place of worship while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for congregants, visitors and those in need?

A Florida Senate Committee has rejected legislation that would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to bring their firearms to church for protection.