Robbed!

Dealing with Robbery.

An Article based on the Safety Member Certification training module "Safety Team Fundamentals" [1].

In the Bible

The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law (Psalm 119:61).

The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment (Proverbs 21:7).

Introduction -

Atlanta, Georgia, February 8, 2025 - It was late afternoon, time for many offices to close for the night. A deacon (age 79) was sweeping the walk in front of his church. A man walked down the side of the church (past a neighboring ice cream parlor) and around to the front.

There he went to the deacon and demanded that he give him his wallet. The deacon didn't move fast enough to please the robber, so he pushed the deacon down to the ground hard enough to knock off his glasses and his shoes.

The robber reached into the deacon's pants pocket and pulled out the wallet. He counted the money as he went to the curb, then he ran off.

Several cars (at least six) passed by during the robbery. One of the drivers called 911, and the police came.

The whole incident was captured by surveillance cameras on the church, on the ice cream parlor, on the library (across the street), and on other neighboring businesses [2, 3].

Vestavia Hills, Alabama, November 6, 2022 - On a Sunday afternoon, a community group was playing basketball on a large church's outdoor basketball court, which is next to a picnic shelter. According to church officials, this court is open to the public. It is next to a driveway from the street.

During the game, three people showed up and robbed the players at gunpoint. Shots were fired, and one of the players was wounded. The wounds were not life-threatening. The trio of assailants fled, but were arrested and charged later in the week. Surveillance videos helped in identifying them [4].

Arlington, Texas, March 3, 2011 - Three men robbed a church on a Thursday. The pastor was beaten, strangled, and suffocated. He died, and his assistant was injured. Four days later, two of the robbers were arrested, and the other on the next day. One robber was sentenced to death and was executed in February 2025 [5, 6].

Cumberland and York Counties, Maine, April 21, 2024 - An armed robber accosted people in the parking lots of three churches, all in the same morning. He would approach someone in a church parking lot, demand money, and brandish a handgun. He didn't get too far. After leaving the third church, police spotted his vehicle matching the 911 descriptions. They caught him after a chase [7].

Theft by Force -

Robbery is not persons just taking things not their own, but taking them by force or the threat of force. That's why it is considered more serious than other forms of larceny. Preventive measures are similar to those for guarding against other armed intruders.

Robbery Prevention -

Some robbers will be bound and determined to attempt a robbery no matter how the target is guarded. However, most robberies can be thwarted or avoided. Advice here is for everyone working for the church: volunteer, staff, or pastoral:

1. Don't work solo outside.
   In Atlanta, the lone elderly man sweeping the church walkway looked like a push-over to a man who wanted quick money. He approached with an "innocent" question to get close enough [3]. A lone mugger would hesitate to move in on two or more people.
2. Be watchful for suspicious activity or persons,
   Awareness is the first line of defense. Whether inside or outside, we need to be aware of what is around us, alert to any different sight or sound. Here's another way it pays to not work alone outside. While the deacon was focused on cleaning the walkway, someone else could have been watching out.
3. Be prepared to call for help,
   If suspicious activity is spotted, call for safety team backup (if they are there) and/or 911. Here is another advantage of not being alone. One of you can call for help.
4. Monitor parking lots,
   Church parking lots need to be monitored before, during, and after classes, services, and events. A visible security presence at these times may deter the kind of robberies that happened in Maine.
5. Have fences with lockable gates around church property,
   A fence will slow down the approach of strangers. Fence even the parking lot(s) and outdoor public areas (as in Vestavia Hills [4]). It will give more time to see them, to spot those who may be robbers or attackers, and to call for help.
6. Monitor public areas, such as picnic shelters, basketball or tennis courts, ball fields, etc.
   Monitoring should also include call buttons in the public space to alert someone in case of an emergency.
7. Control access during office hours,
   A robbery inside the church, is more likely to happen during office hours, as in Arlington, Texas [5]. A large church may able to have security on site through the week, but that is not as feasible for congregations with fewer than 400 members, let alone under 200. Have the door locked with a notice to ring the bell. A video intercom at the door will let those in the office see who's at the door and ask why they are there before leaving the office. Also have a monitor in the office for outside cameras. Look on the monitor for other persons out of sight from the door camera and for signs of weapons. Use discretion as to whether or not you open the door.
8. Remember that not all robberies are with weapons,
   No sign of weapons does not guarantee that this visit will not be a robbery. There were no lethal weapons in two of the robberies in the news stories. The one in Atlanta was with hands only. In Arlington, the only "weapon" was a plastic bag which was already there.

Robbery Response -

Sheepdog Church Security addresses robberies in its training. Here's a quote from the 2016 instructor's guide to the "Volunteer Academy" training class:

If a robbery/theft situation should arise, the Church Security Team members should note a complete description and immediately contact the local police. The Church Security Team members should not use physical means to detain an armed thief. Do not place any church member or visitors at risk in an effort to stop a robbery [8].

Here is where a robbery differs from an active killer incident. The robber is there for the goods: money, watches, jewelry, credit cards, etc. The active killer is there to kill someone. Prevention may be similar, but the response is different.

It looks great in a movie or TV show for someone in the group to foil the robbers. Frankly, attempting this does not always work as intended. Notice the advice at the end of the training guide paragraph. Let law enforcement track down the robber(s). Our job is to keep the people safe. Not putting the people at risk includes how we address the entire situation:

1. Keep everyone calm.
2. Don't sound or appear to be hostile:
1. Don't argue with the robber(s).
2. Don't make any sudden moves.
3. Silently notice details, including the robbers' approximate heights. That will help police to identify the perpetrators.
4. Remember what they take from you and put that in the report. If a robber is caught with it, that will tie him or her to the robbery.
1. Safety team members ask everyone what was taken from them and write down full descriptions.
2. Besides helping police, this also helps with insurance claims.
5. Don't hold up your phone to take a video. It might be your last shot. Let security cameras do the photography.

To everyone concerned, when the police arrive, they're in charge. Follow their directions and answer their questions. The Safety Team will also fill out an incident report for the Safety Ministry's files.

Training Note -

Right now, Safety Team Certification training modules (classes) are being updated and upgraded, actually revamped. Passing each class (with its certification test) qualifies the student to be a Certified Safety Member for two years. For team leaders, bonus materials are also available for the team as a whole - Safety Drills Manual and Certification Study Guide:

• The Safety Drills Manual is a complete guide with nine emergency drills and instructions for tabletop and live exercises to keep your team prepared.
• The Certification Study Guide covers key topics like Active Shooter Response and Fire Safety to help your team excel in certification and handle critical situations.

Conclusion -

Do what you can to prevent robberies, and be ready to respond safely if there is one.

References -

1. Kris Moloney, "Safety Team Fundamentals," Safety Member Certification, Sheepdog Church Security, © 2020 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/courses/safety-member-certification-2025].
2. Dave Urbanski, "Video: Thug attacks elderly church member sweeping in front of neighborhood house of worship, steals his wallet," Blaze, February 12, 2025 [https://www.theblaze.com/news/video-thug-attacks-elderly-church-member-sweeping-in-front-of-neighborhood-house-of-worship-steals-his-wallet].
3. Courtney Francisco, "Surveillance video captures mugging, Atlanta neighborhood searching for attacker," WSB-TV, February 12, 2025 [https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/surveillance-video-captures-mugging-atlanta-neighborhood-searching-attacker/XBRJYD4VCZADDMT6UY7J5IVH6Y/].
4. Carol Robinson, "3 charged with assault, robbery in Shades Mountain Baptist Church basketball court shooting," Birmingham Real-Time News on AL.com, Updated Nov. 10, 2022 [https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2022/11/3-charged-with-assault-robbery-in-basketball-court-shooting-at-shades-mountain-baptist-church.html].
5. Barry Leibowitz, "Texas pastor Rev. Clinton Dobson suffocated in deadly robbery, say Arlington police," CBS News, March 7, 2011 [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-pastor-rev-clinton-dobson-suffocated-in-deadly-robbery-say-arlington-police/].
6. Keith Graves, "Man to Be Executed for Fatal Church Robbery That Claimed Life of Pastor Clint Dobson," Christian Warrior, February 5, 2025 [https://www.christianwarriortraining.com/p/man-to-be-executed-for-fatal-church].
7. WGME Staff, "Suspect in custody after string of armed robberies at Maine church parking lots," WGME, April 21, 2024 [https://wgme.com/news/local/suspect-in-custody-after-string-of-armed-robberies-at-maine-church-parking-lots].
8. Kris Moloney, "Volunteer Academy," page 9, Copyright 2016, Sheepdog Church Security.