Ready for the Crowd

Preparing for Special Occasions

An article based on the Church Security Guide article "How to Conduct a Risk Assessment" and the Expert Resources article "Building Awareness: Recognizing and Reporting Suspicious Behavior for Church Safety Pioneers."[1][2][3][4]

From the Bible –

For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the Passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people (2 Chronicles 30:18-20).

Introduction –

When King Hezekiah held the Passover and invited remnants of the northern tribes, there was a massive crowd at the Temple. Preparations had to be made for the crowds, especially providing lambs for the feast.

Another concern was security. Soldiers had to be on guard in case some of the guests from the north were foreign agents left behind by the Assyrians to compromise the king of Judah. Besides this, in any large crowd there are some people who do not get along with each other, and there are likely to be some criminal elements.

Things have not really changed all that much over the past 2,700 years. When we have a crowd for an event or a holiday, there will be several who are not part of our congregation. Concerning issues will likely be interpersonal frictions, personal problems, mental illness, and medical conditions. Add to this the possibility of criminals and hostile actors.

The crowd might not be as large at one time for some special events where the public is invited, but not for all at the same time, such as a walk-through of Jerusalem (just before Easter), a Stations of the Cross tour, and live Nativity scenes, but you never know just who will be coming.

Other events drawing crowds to a church include weddings, funerals, concerts, fairs, and well-known guest speakers.

In the News -

There are several kinds of threats to public events at a church. Here are four examples:

Violence.

New Haven, Indiana, December 7, 2024 - A church in New Haven had a live Nativity scene outside on the church grounds. New Haven police officers were there for security. On the last day, at the end of the event, church staff and volunteers were beginning to take down the sets. A middle-aged man approached the officer stationed for that day and pointed a gun at him. The man ranted that he was going to kill everyone.

The officer called the sheriff's department and reported the incident. Deputies came immediately and engaged the man. A few shots were fired, with two persons being injured. Then the man got into his pickup and drove around the church grounds. He crashed, got out of the truck with a knife, and was finally arrested after a struggle.[5][6][7]

Theft.

Houston, Texas, April 8, 2012 - Following the third Easter morning service of the day at a church in Houston, choir members found that the locked cabinet for their valuables had been broken into. Several items were scattered and several others were missing, including jewelry, money, and mobile phones. Later that day, two teens were arrested for trespassing in another neighborhood. Among their possessions was an iPhone stolen from the church.[8]

Protests.

Manhattan, New York City, March 30, 2024 - The Holy Saturday vigil mass for Easter at St. Patrick's Cathedral was interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters who barged into the ongoing service, raising banners and shouting.[9]

Medical Emergencies.

Nationwide - Statistics show higher instances of heart attacks during the holiday season, especially on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.[10]

Event Planning -

We wouldn't think of holding or hosting an event without some degree of planning. The first things on most people's minds are the location, provisions (food, etc.), printing (if needed) announcements or invitations, and the program. That's all well and good, but we also need to consider safety and security.

Outdoor Events.

Take an outdoor event, for instance, such as the live Nativity scene in New Haven,[5] the fair at Cathedral of the Cross in Center Point, AL,[11] and the outdoor concert at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City.[12] There's more to consider besides what to do in case of rain.

• How safe is the ground itself (grass or pavement)?
• Are there tripping or slipping hazards?
• Are tables, seats, and booths stable?
• How about fire hazards?
• How about access control?
• How can you know who's coming in?
• Are there set entrances and exits where visitors can be observed?
• Is there signage about what is not allowed on the grounds (maybe back packs)?
• Are hours of operation clearly posted?
• How will you protect children?
• Keeping them from leaving the event unaccompanied.
• Watching for predators.
• Guarding against non-custodial parents.
• How many safety team members will be needed?
• Will you need outside help (off-duty police or professional security)?
• Are all safety & security personnel trained in the observation of people?[4]
• Are cameras positioned to help security monitor the crowd and the area?
• Are you coordinating plans with law enforcement?
• Are there any warnings about real or potential threats to the church, to the event, or to involved persons?
• Is social media being monitored for potential threats?
• How does the community social climate affect the event's security?[13]
• How will the street or alley be monitored?
• Are there barriers to deter drive-by shootings or vehicular attacks?
• What if you have to evacuate the area or shelter in place?
• Large events increase stress for many people, increasing the likelihood of medical emergencies. Also, crowds increase the chance of some accidents.
• Will you always have trained medical emergency responders present?
• Are there enough First Aid supplies?
• Is there a reserved area for treatment?

Indoor Events.

It is - or was - common knowledge that church attendance is higher at Christmas and Easter than at other times of the year. Higher attendance may also be expected for some special events, such as concerts, special programs, popular (sometimes controversial) speakers, hosting regional or national meetings, and weddings or funerals of people who are well-known or have many associates. Some of these events will attract persons who are not members or regular attendees of the church.

Let's take as examples the security challenges of some churches in the news. In many foreign countries, opponents of Christianity will attack churches on Christian holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. Decades earlier, Nazis attacked synagogues on Passover and Hanukkah. These terrorists know that they will have more targets. Also, this is a way of disrespecting holy days.

Well, that is not entirely strange in this country. Anti-church protesters love disrupting Easter and Christmas services. And in San Francisco, California, in 1993, activists physically attacked a church during a service because of a speaker they did not like.[14] In recent years, churches have been attacked because of their stands on social issues.

So, how can we prepare for large crowds at indoor events?

Evacuation Planning:

If there is a fire or some other reason to evacuate the church when it is filled for a special event or a holiday, it is more challenging to getting everyone out safely than with a smaller crowd.

• Plan all evacuation drills for capacity crowds. The same plan will work when there are fewer present.
• Plan also for sheltering in place. Have a safe place (or places) able to hold a capacity crowd. It may be cozy, but no one is crushed.
• Have enough provisions for a prolonged stay of three days or more.
• If a large crowd has to be divided among safe rooms, have a means of communicating among the rooms.

Threat Assessment:

Have a threat assessment team or the Safety Committee assess real and potential threats.

• Consider the kinds of threats to similar events elsewhere as well as continuing local threats, such as domestic violence, crime, radical activists, vandalism, robberies, mental illness, drug addiction, etc.
• Communicate with law enforcement about the likelihood of potential threats

Increased Security Presence:

Schedule enough safety team members to cover the event, as well as medical response persons. Include greeters and ushers in safety planning. Have special patrols before the event to spot any suspicious items and to deter would-be intruders.

Coordination with Law Enforcement:

In addition to communicating with law enforcement about potential threats, also coordinate planning for event security.

• They need to know the time of the event, when the venue will be set up, and the expected attendance.
• They may have advice as well as questions.

Drills:

Drill for large events. Rehearse:

• The set-up (placing of team members, monitoring cameras, etc.)
• Observing persons and their behavior
• Handling small disruptions (de-escalation)
• Responding to incidents
• Evacuation and shelter-in-place.

Ideally, most of this drilling should be ongoing through the year, but the team does need a run-through for an event drawing many visitors (such as a Christmas musical).

Training Notes -

Each of the Safety Member Certification training modules will contribute to training for event security:

1. Safety Team Fundamentals
2. Active Shooter Response
3. Deescalating Disruptive Persons
4. Protecting Children from Abuse
5. Basic Use of Force Laws
6. Arson and Fire Safety
7. Storms and Disasters
8. Mass Trauma Emergencies

All Church Safety Team members are urged to take the Safety Member Certification course. Those who pass are eligible to be certified for two years. At that time, re-certification will refresh and update their training.[15]

Other Sheepdog Church Security training resources are the Church Security Guide and Expert Resources (each has several articles bearing on aspects of church safety and security) and Guest Articles (insights shared by experienced voices in the field).[1][3][16]

Conclusion -

Be ready for large crowds at special events.

Free Download -

We have a free download for you: Church Safety Walkthrough Checklist.

Download the Church Safety Walkthrough Checklist to identify key areas of concern and take the first step toward creating a safer church environment. This free guide helps you secure entrances, assess safety equipment, and prioritize action plans.

Click *HERE* to get the free download.[17]

References -

1. Kris Moloney, Church Security Guide, Sheepdog Security Sentinel, 2018, 2023 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/pages/security-articles?c=church-security-guide] and [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/church-security-guide/].
2. Kris P. Moloney, "How to Conduct a Risk Assessment," Church Security Guide, Sheepdog Church Security, 2018 and June 9, 2023 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/pages/security-articles?p=how-to-conduct-a-risk-assessment] and [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/church-security-assessment].
3. Kris Moloney, Expert Resources, The Sheepdog Sentinel, January 1, 2023 to March 1, 2024 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/pages/security-articles?c=expert-resources].
4. Kris Moloney, "Building Awareness: Recognizing and Reporting Suspicious Behavior for Church Safety Pioneers," Expert Resources, The Sheepdog Sentinel, February 1, 2024 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/pages/security-articles?p=building-awareness-recognizing-and-reporting-suspicious-behavior-for-church-safety-pioneers].
5. Jazlynn Bebout, "Man facing charges after allegedly pointing gun at officer at Fort Wayne church's live nativity scene Saturday," WPTA, December 9, 2024 [https://www.21alivenews.com/2024/12/09/man-facing-charges-after-allegedly-pointing-gun-officer-fort-wayne-churchs-live-nativity-scene-saturday/].
6. Michael Gryboski, "Man who brought gun to church's live nativity allegedly wanted to 'kill everyone,' police say," The Christian Post, December 11, 2024 [https://www.christianpost.com/news/armed-man-at-church-nativity-wanted-to-kill-everyone-police.html].
7. Benjamin Clark, "Fort Wayne Church Incident: Armed Man Arrested Amid Live Nativity," Christian News Alerts, December 12, 2024 [https://christiannewsalerts.com/fort-wayne-church-incident-armed-man-arrested-amid-live-nativity/#google_vignette].
8. Stefanie Thomas, "Teen in custody in connection with thefts at church during Easter service," Chron, April 11, 2012 [https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/humble/news/article/Teen-in-custody-in-connection-with-thefts-at-9370605.php].
9. Emily Rahhal, "Protestors yell, ‘Free Palestine' at NYC Easter vigil mass; 3 arrested," PIX 11, March 31, 2024 [https://pix11.com/news/local-news/manhattan/protesters-yell-free-palestine-at-nyc-easter-vigil-mass-3-arrested/].
10. Melissa Wilson, "Increased deaths from heart attacks during Christmas week, how to maintain heart health," Fox 26 Houston, December 24, 2024 [https://www.fox26houston.com/morning-show/increased-deaths-from-heart-attacks-christmas-week-maintain-heart-health].
11. WGV, "2017 Cathedral of the Cross Shooting," Sheepdog Church Security, December 26, 2023 [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/articles/2017-cathedral-of-the-cross-shooting/].
12. WGV, "2020 Shooting, Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine," Sheepdog Church Security, August 27, 2024 [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/articles/2020-shooting-cathedral-church-of-saint-john-the-divine/].
13. WGV, "The Community Climate - Part 1" and "The Community Climate - Part 2," Sheepdog Church Security, October 30, 2023 and November 7, 2023, [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/articles/the-community-climate-part01/] and [https://sheepdogchurchsecurity.net/articles/the-community-climate-part02/].
14. "Hamilton Square Baptist Church protests," Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Square_Baptist_Church_protests].
15. Kris Moloney, Safety Member Certification, Sheepdog Church Security, 2018-2024 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/bundles/safety-member-certification].
16. Terry Berringer and Robert E. Downing, Guest Articles, The Sheepdog Sentinel, January 30, 2024 to May 2, 2024 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/pages/security-articles?c=guest-articles].
17. Kris Moloney, "Church Safety Walkthrough Checklist," Sheepdog Church Security, © 2024 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/church-safety-walkthrough-checklist].