JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
Since two children were killed at a Catholic church in Minnesota last week, companies that provide security training for houses of worship say they've received a flood of calls. The calls are coming from leaders of churches, mosques and temples who want to know how they can safeguard their own sanctuaries. Mass shootings at houses of worship remain rare, but security experts say there are some steps that every congregation can and should take. Jack Jenkins of Religion News Service has the story.
JACK JENKINS: When Nick Spencer heard about the shooting that took place at a Catholic church in Minneapolis, he, like millions of Americans, was heartbroken. But as the chief operations officer of the security firm Strategos International, he also prepared for what he knew would come next.
NICK SPENCER: This is what we've seen time and time again, unfortunately, is that once an event occurs, there's a huge inquiry that happens. People want to know about resources. What can we do to not be the next victim in this situation?
JENKINS: Spencer's company, a Christian business, helps houses of worship develop emergency protocols to step up security to protect against mass shooters and other threats. He says business has expanded as more houses of worship fall victim to mass shootings, such as when a gunman attacked a Sikh temple in 2012 in Wisconsin or when the Tree of Life synagogue suffered the worst antisemitic attack in American history in Pennsylvania in 2018 or when gunmen opened fire in churches in South Carolina in 2015, in Texas in 2017, in California in 2022.
Spencer's group employs security personnel at schools and houses of worship which he says can provide faster intervention during attacks like the one that unfolded in Minnesota. Some Catholic groups are considering training ushers in security protocols at Masses or instituting active shooter drills. Other faith communities are also sharing their expertise. Michael Masters is head of the Jewish nonprofit Secure Community Network, which offers security trainings to a wide variety of religious groups.
MICHAEL MASTERS: I think in respect to other faith-based groups, we are not waiting to get calls. We are making calls.
JENKINS: Masters said that because of violent antisemitism, American Jews have developed expertise in how to secure sacred spaces.
MASTERS: The Jewish community has lived with this reality for years. We have made substantive investments in the safety and security of our faith-based institutions in the Jewish community.
JENKINS: Faith leaders say enhanced security isn't the only way to keep worshippers safe. Many houses of worship ban guns on their property. And many religious groups have urged lawmakers to pass gun control legislation. But after years of waiting for help from Washington, religious communities are now turning to private security groups for help, even as they voice rising outrage over the growing death toll.
MASTERS: We need to do something about that seriously. And it's not just for the security experts. It cannot be just higher walls and stronger doors and barricaded windows.
JENKINS: Security measures aren't a guarantee. Even armed officers haven't always stopped mass shooters. But both Masters and Spencer mentioned three of the same security tips for houses of worship - install security cameras, fortify your doors with locks and consider covering windows with ballistic film.
For NPR News, I'm Jack Jenkins in Washington.
SUMMERS: This story was produced through a collaboration between NPR and Religion News Service. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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