Practical Ways to Protect Your Congregation From Theft

Car and radio theft during worship services is a problem for some urban churches. Vandalism of church property is another problem. But vandalism and the theft of stained glass windows, computer, or audio-visual equipment can be a problem in any church, regardless of its location.

"Nothing is sacred," says Ralph Sullivan, a police officer in Atlanta, Georgia, who specializes in commercial crime prevention. With relatively small expense, however, many church-related crimes can be deterred.

For example, the church where I worship had some purses stolen during the day and some fundraising items and money taken at night. We installed decoy signs, directional floodlights, and an intercom buzzer system, which have put an end to the theft.

A large Southern Baptist church near Atlanta fortified its security after a batch of checks was stolen. Church leaders decided to go to the bank several times per week rather than keep cash around. They now keep exterior doors locked most of the time and have installed a monitoring service with motion detectors.

Levels of Security

Security is 90 percent perception. So says Jerry Molinaro of Pinkerton Security (510-746-8730). Even if you don't have a security system, you might post signs that say the church is protected. "Advertisement is the best deterrent in the world," Molinaro says. "What the crooks don't know won't hurt them." If you want to install a security system, you might consider Pinkerton's levels of security:

Level 1, a local burglary system, monitors a church 24 hours a day. The church pays a deposit and a monthly payment for this on a three- to five-year contract. Motion detectors cost $75 to $1200 for parts and about $50 for installation. A system with six to eight motion detectors costs $2000 to $5000. Glass-break detection units (about $50 installed) can be placed in high-value areas such as offices and are monitored on a 24-hour system. The data gathered by the system will help police if a crime is committed.

Level 11 offers what Level 1 does plus a card-access system similar to the ones hotel use for about $300 to $500 per door. The codes are programmed right at the door.

Other safeguards against theft include:

Videotaping the contents of each room in a church. This will help determine replacement value should anything be stolen.

Storing valuables away from windows.

Changing locks on doors periodically and limiting access to keys.

Installing passive infrared motion sensors in long hallways. Buddy Duke of Richardson Electronics (800-722-2288) advises dual technology (microwave and infrared) to prevent accidental tripping of alarms.

Putting fire alarms and a monitoring system in offices that contain cash or computer equipment. Sandy Branen of Security Link (800-466-5600) also recommends a panic button for church employees in case of attack.

Building security. If you're constructing a church, prewire it for security. That's cheaper than retrofitting a system in an existing building.

Deterrents to Crime

The four D's of crime prevention, according to John Puckett, a police officer in an Atlanta suburb and a specialist in crime prevention, are:

1. Deter. Use lighting to increase visibility and make your building unattractive to criminals. Trim bushes to three feet to increase a crook's chance of being seen.
2. Delay. Install door locks, window locks, solid-core doors, deadbolt locks with a single-cylinder one-inch throw, reinforced strike plates, with three-inch screws, siren alarms - anything to create a distraction and slow a thief's entry.
3. Detect. One of the best crime detectors is a nosy neighbor who phones the pastor or police if something is suspicious. Also, install door and window sensors that activate the alarm system.
4. Deny. Make it hard for thieves to collect big-tickets items by spreading them throughout the building and placing them in locked areas