HOUSE OF WORSHIP/SCHOOL SECURITY ASSESSMENT

• Site conducted

  Select

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Location
  Address

• Are there “crime generators” in the immediate neighborhoods of the church? “Crime generators” may include late-night social or retail establishments, low income housing, social services, etc.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the church be observed from surrounding facilities and streets? It is preferable for there to be clear lines of sight between church’s and their neighbors.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are neighborhood streets and walkways in the immediate vicinity to the church well lite?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do nearby residents use church property for recreational purposes? Persons who are not members of the church and use the property for<br>recreation may become a security risk or threat.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the church located in a neighborhood that has an active Neighborhood Watch program? A neighborhood that has an active Neighborhood Watch program is often safer than one that does not.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

PROPERTY PERIMETER

• Are property boundaries of the church easily recognizable by visual means?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there signs near the property perimeter directing visitors to appropriate locations for building entry?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the church building and grounds visibly accessible to patrolling law enforcement vehicles?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are designated parking lots or parking areas well lighted? Surface parking areas should have at least one foot candle light level during periods of darkness.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are pedestrian walkways and building entrances particularly well lighted? It is recommended that pedestrian walkways and building entrances have at least five foot candle light level during periods of darkness<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all sides of the church illuminated by exterior lighting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are exterior lights associated with the church controlled by a photoelectric cell? It is preferable to have exterior lighting controlled by light sensitive photoelectric cells rather than manual switches or timers.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does someone have the responsibility for checking the operation of all exterior lighting at least once a week? It is recommended there be a<br>formal process for inspecting all external lighting on a regular scheduled basis.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a reliable system or process for the timely repair of inoperative external lighting? Inoperative exterior lighting should be repaired as soon as possible after being identified.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is exterior lighting uniform, without pockets of shadow or glare?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are switches, breakers or electrical panels that control lighting inaccessible to the public?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are exterior playgrounds enclosed by a sturdy fence?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do external playgrounds have a restricted entry point?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are sight lines from the church to playgrounds unobstructed by landscaping, plant growth or other means?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does playground equipment have tamper-proof fasteners?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are bushes, shrubbery or other plant growth trimmed in an appropriate manner so as not to serve as a hiding place or a place of concealment? It is recommended that plant growth within six foot of a parking facility, pedestrian walkway or building entrance be trimmed at a height of no more than two feet (2’). The branches or foliage of trees should be no lower than seven feet (7’) above grade.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any informal pathways (not formally designated) that may serve as a security risk, i.e., inadequately lit?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are exterior or detached storage buildings or facilities well-constructed and secured?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are dumpster covers locked and is the trash or dumpster area well lit?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any exterior building recesses or alcoves that can serve as hiding places or places of concealment for intruders? Means to remove or reduce concealment potential may include lighting, screening, blocking, convex mirrors, etc.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

BULIDING PERIMETER

• Are visitor entry points clearly identified?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the church designed in such a manner that visitors have to check in at an administrative office or desk before they can access other parts of the building?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the designated visitor entry point under the visual supervision of a<br>receptionist or administrative office?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a strategy or program to detect and eliminate propped exterior doors at the church?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the exterior handles and door trim been removed from emergency exit doors?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are perimeter pedestrian entryways equipped with full flush metal or solid core doors at least 1 ¾” thick and secured with deadbolt locking devices (where life safety codes do not govern otherwise) and door hinges that do not permit the pins to be removed from the exterior?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are exterior doors not used as designated entry points locked to prevent entry from the exterior?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the locks on all building entry points functional and in a good state of repair?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are exit doors equipped with push-pads rather than push-bars that may be more easily opened with a coat hanger?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are operable exterior windows easily locked?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a clear responsibility for unlocking and locking the church each day?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

ELECTRONIC INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEM

• Does the church have an electronic intrusion detection system (“burglar alarm”)?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the alarm system cover all exterior entry points?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there clear signs and/or decals posted on the exterior of the building (doors and windows) indicating the facility is equipped with an intrusion detection system? The primary goal of an alarm system should be to deter by its presence and prevent illegal entry attempts.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the intrusion detection system centrally monitored? It is recommended that an electronic intrusion detection system be equipped with both a loud local annunciator and be monitored centrally by an alarm monitoring center.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a preventive maintenance program for the intrusion detection alarm system? Intrusion detection systems should be inspected and<br>serviced at least annually by a trained and certified technician.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

• Does the property currently have a video surveillance system (CCTV cameras)?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the property currently has a video surveillance system, is it used to view vehicle parking areas or playground areas?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the property have a video surveillance system, is it used to monitor perimeter access control?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the property does currently have a video surveillance system, is it used to view internal areas of the building?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there doors or other means to secure sections of the church when the section is not in use?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

KEY MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL

• Is there a single person responsible for key issuance and record keeping?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an accurate record of who has been issued church keys?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is key duplication, prohibited except for authorized personnel?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are key holders required to sign for keys?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are keys stored in a locked container with limited access?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are affected locks replaced or rekeyed whenever a key is lost or stolen?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

CHRUCH PROPERTY INVENTORY

• Is the responsibility for church property inventory assigned to a specific staff member?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is valuable church property engraved with an owner applied number in a manner that permits easy identification?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a written (preferably computerized) inventory of all church property and equipment of value?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SECURITY

• Is there a written, up-to-date Child and Student Safety and Protection Policy?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a child and youth security training program for church employees and volunteers?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a church policy that requires a background check of staff and volunteers?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fingerprints taken of all church employees?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a policy that requires volunteers to be a member of the church or active in church activities for at least six months before they can be<br>directly involved in children and youth activities?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there uncovered windows in classrooms and youth activity areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a policy that requires that two or more adults be present during church sponsored programs involving children and youth?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

FINANCIAL SECURITY

• Is there a written, up-to-date accounting procedure manual that identifies how church money and financial resources are handled, counted,<br>deposited, reported and audited?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• For the counting of church offerings, is there a policy that requires at least three people to be present and that these people are rotated on a regular basis?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a church policy that no one person has the authority to approve purchases, issue funds and sign checks?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

GENERAL CONSIDERATION/ ACTIVE SHOOTER

• Do you have a safety team that can take charge during any emergency situation?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are Code Red Drill conducted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have team members undergone a thorough screening, including a criminal background check?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are team members trained to handle communication, evacuation, first aid, emergency response, and violent intruder?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has your team discussed worst-case scenarios and developed responses to them?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has your team consulted area experts, such as police, paramedics, and firefighters, to determine how your organizations can work best with one another?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is your team trained to help evacuate the church?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does your team practice evacuation on a regular basis with staff, volunteers, and members?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is your team trained to verbally deescalate a disruptive person(s)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is your team trained in Use of Force and Control Techniques (Unarmed Self-Defense)?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does your emergency response plan address the possibility of violent attacks?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has your safety team determined which areas of your ministry are most vulnerable to attack?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does your team know how to prepare for and respond to a violent attack?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can your team implement lockdown procedures in the event of a violent event within the church?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does your ministry have security cameras, panic buttons, silent alarms, or other types of security equipment to help ensure the safety of your<br>members?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

CHURCH SECURITY TEAM

• Are armed security personnel current or former law enforcement agents?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are they licensed to carry a weapon in your state?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you require team members who carry firearms to receive regular, formal weapons training?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How often do they undergo weapons training?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do your security team members follow a set of written guidelines as to how much force may be used against a person in a given situation?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The name of the school building clearly marks the front entrance

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Grade Level

Facilities & Gounds

• School grounds fenced

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fence gates are in good repair and capable of being locked

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fencing is in good repair with no holes or gaps

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fencing surrounds the entire campus

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is one clearly marked designated entrance for visitors

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Classrooms and offices have their room numbers posted on the exterior of the building

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Trees and shrubs are trimmed. (No shrubbery above 2’/ No branches below 8’)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Building Exterior

• Access to bus loading areas are restricted to other traffic during loading/unloading

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Courtyards and commons area are supervised & doors are locked during non-use times

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All exterior windows are in good repair and can be locked/secured

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is an access control system and/or procedure for the main buildings

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The play areas have clearly defined boundaries and are protected with fencing

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• All classrooms; other rooms are locked when not in use

  Yes

  No

  N/A

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

• Cameras cover the inside hallways

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cameras are strategically placed around the perimeter of the campus and building

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The camera monitors are in secure locations with limited access

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The cameras can be recorded in either a VHS or digital format

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The main entrances

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Someone is assigned to observe the monitors

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Crisis Planning

• There is a formal incident reporting system for students & staff

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• There is a formal threat assessment process

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Evacuation/fire drill

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Lockdown

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Key personnel have 2 way radio communication

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Code Red / Lockdown Notification

  Yes

  No

  N/A