Headlines
Related Photos
-
Claremore Police Captain Charles Downum (left) will discuss security and intruder response behaviors for churches next Saturday at Memorial Heights Baptist Church in Claremore. The day-long instructional conference will address Biblically-supported habits when dealing with disturbances and potentially dangerous situations while at church. Memorial Heights pastor Paul Simpson (right) will be among those in attendance. Tom Fink
Discussion
Claremore policeman to address security measures at church
CLAREMORE —
In the book of Matthew, Jesus told his followers they were being sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves, advising them to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
Claremore police officers are hoping for the same thing from members and staff of local churches.
Next Saturday, the Claremore Police Department will be presenting a program for members of Rogers County churches to help prepare themselves to deal with potentially dangerous or emergency situations while at church.
“Several months ago, (Claremore Police) Chief (Mickey Perry) began to recognize the need to look at programs about security in churches, based on trends we’d started to see,” said Stan Brown, assistant chief, Claremore Police Department. “Both nationally, in Oklahoma, such as when Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty was attacked during an alter call, and even here in Claremore before Easter when there was a domestic-like situation that arose during a service at First United Methodist Church.
“Increasingly, churches have been seeing more and more incidents of danger, even violence, and members of the church may not know how to react to them or to protect themselves,” he continued. “We began looking at what we could do to better protect and prepare church members — deacons, greeters, etc. — and educate them on what they can do to prevent, recognize, and react to potentially dangerous situations that occur at church.”
The result of their search sent Claremore Police Capt. Charles Downum to train at Strategos International — a company which specializes in tactical training for law enforcement personnel on how to instruct intruder response training for churches and similar groups.
“It’s not just about security — it’s about planning and leadership preparation,” Capt. Downum said. “It covers the whole gamete basically. At the program, we’ll look at the history and demographics of previous acts of violence in churches, liability considerations, education and training and communication,.
“It will cover the whole gamut, really, and we’re encouraging churches to send their leaders, security personnel, ushers, greeters, deacons, etc. and other leaders to attend — they all have a role in the church’s security,” he said. “They need to be able to identify and know how to deal with individuals who could potentially create a problem at the church.
“The three H’s — hurts, heartaches and hang-ups — seem to end up at churches which presents the possibility for volatile situations,” he said. “Many church workers aren’t familiar with how to handle someone who becomes aggravated or what to do in a situation that gets out of hand. This course is to give people information to make wise decisions and equip them with the resources to organize within their own church and devise their own plans for security practices.”
Although Capt. Downum understands that some people’s faith may make them uncomfortable with increasing security measures or practices, the program does not ask people to sacrifice their beliefs for their safety.
“What we’re offering churches is a solution that addresses safety and security preparation without compromising the core mission of the church, which is to provide an atmosphere of comfort, refuge, worship, and learning for those who enter the church walls and (church) events,” he said. “We know that some people may be comfortable with changing their practices at church for the sake of (increased) security, but there’s a difference between being a martyr and being a victim.”
The training is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 5, at Memorial Heights Baptist Church, 1500 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore.
The cost is $10 to cover lunch which will be provided.
Participants must call Memorial Heights at 341-5952 to reserve their spot.
- Headlines
-
-
NEW DORMS: RSU going more traditional
In just a year, Rogers State University will double the number of students sleeping, eating and studying on its campus. That’s twice the students walking to class in the morning. Twice the students calling RSU home.
-
DEQ: Public drinking water in Oologah is safe
Public drinking water in the Oologah area is not contaminated by heavy metals from the local Public Service Company of Oklahoma power plant according to officials at PSO and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
-
County will not use carryover for new hires
Rogers County Commissioners oppose spending money carried over from last year’s budget — in spite of county officers who say they need money now.
-
Rogers County men arrested on burglary charges
Sheriff’s officers are hoping the recent arrest of two Rogers County men will halt a recent bout of burglaries.
-
Crews zero in on courthouse design, cost
Rogers County’s new courthouse has been nudged over and stretched to take advantage of the closing of Missouri Street, according to schematics unveiled Monday.
-
Sheriff: ‘Extraordinary’ need for new deputies
The Rogers County Sheriff’s Office may lose the ability to provide even basic services if it can’t hire more deputies this year, Sheriff Scott Walton told commissioners Monday.
-
Symphony League hosts membership drive
The Claremore Symphony League will host a wine and cheese reception to launch the membership drive for 2010 - 2011. The reception, to be held at the Will Rogers Memorial on September the 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30, will feature wine tasting and the presentation of the Honorary Chairman of this season’s Symphony League Ball.
-
Felony charges filed against former Chelsea chief of police
Formal charges were filed Thursday in Rogers County against a former Chelsea police chief.
-
Report hits Oologah power plant for river pollution
Waste improperly handled by the AEP/PSO power plant in Oologah may be contaminating the Verdigris River, according to a report released this week.
-
Groups support bicycle safety overhauls
Bicycling groups across the state said they support a new legislative package designed to protect riders and motorists. However, many cyclists are calling for the state to do more to educate residents and enforce existing laws and practices.
- More Headlines Headlines
-
