Should Churches Have Security Guards?

Though places of worship are associated with peace where a community can come together in solidarity, unfortunately, violence can emerge in any one place.

According to recent studies, church and religious establishment violence is on the rise. Though places of worship are associated with peace where a community can come together in solidarity, unfortunately, violence can emerge in any one place. 

In deciding to hire security guards for your church there are many things to consider. We’ve put together a checklist of what to consider and if hiring security guards is right for your establishment. 

Size and Location: Larger churches or those situated in areas with higher crime rates might benefit from having security guards to ensure the safety of their congregants and property. Depending on where your church is located in Phoenix, or a surrounding city in Arizona, hiring security guards may be the right choice.

Previous Incidents: If the church has experienced incidents of theft, vandalism, or violence in the past, it may be prudent to consider hiring security guards to prevent future occurrences.

Congregation Size: If the church, mosque, or synagogue has a significant number of attendees, especially during high-profile events or services, having security guards can help manage crowds and maintain order.

Special Events: Churches hosting events that attract a large number of people (e.g., concerts, conferences, or community gatherings) may need security to handle crowd control and address any potential issues.

Financial Resources: Hiring security guards is an additional expense, and smaller churches with limited resources might find it challenging to allocate funds for this purpose.

If a church does decide to hire security guards, it’s crucial to ensure that they are well-trained, professional, and understand the unique nature of their role in a place of worship.

Ultimately, the decision should be made after careful consideration, possibly involving the input of the congregation, church leadership, and security experts to determine the most appropriate approach for the safety and security of everyone involved. At Selarom Security Services, LLC, we have professionally trained security guards that specialize in church, synagogue, and mosque security not only in the greater Phoenix area, but all of Arizona. Take a look at all of our religious establishment services that we cover. 

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