Churches and places of worship may protect their congregations by undergoing free safety assessments conducted by law enforcement officers.
Photo: Participating in the “Protecting Places of Worship Forum” are, from left, front row, MTSU Police Chief Buddy Peaster, Deborah Oleshansky of the Jewish faith, committee member Michael Jones, Sheriff’s Major Steve Spence and committee member Tanika Jones; second row, committee members Linell Linell, Rick Rodriguez and Rev. Richard Sibert of Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Saleh Sbenaty of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, committee members Steven Scheid, Dawn Rhodes and Irma Rodriguez; back row, MTSU Capt. Jeff Martinez, Aaron Crossley of the Bahai faith, Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh, Walter Atkinson of the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, Sheriff’s Detective Capt. Britt Reed and Chief Deputy Keith Lowery and Murfreesboro Police Chief Michael Bowen.
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office participated with Murfreesboro Police, MTSU Police, the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, prosecutors and representatives of places of worship during a forum Tuesday at MTSU.
The “Protecting Places of Worship Forum” was sponsored by the Community Action Committee of Rutherford County and the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service.
Walter Atkinson of the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service said the forum was to educate the community and give available resources from local, state and federal agencies on assaults on religious institutions.
“We hope and pray that won’t happen,” Atkinson said.
Sheriff’s deputies and Murfreesboro Police offer free:
- On site risk assessments.
- Written assessments and recommendations in a report outlining safety and security concerns.
- Development and training of a safety team.
- Assistance in developing policies and procedures.
- Active shooter training.
Free training includes:
- Active shooter facts.
- Profiles of different types of mass shooters.
- Background information of shooters.
- Safety team formation and training.
- Policies and procedures.
Churches and places of worship in the county may contact Deputy Roscoe Sanders at 615-904-3019 or at rsanders@rcsotn.org and those in Murfreesboro may contact Sgt. Scott Newberg at 629-201-5579 or 0382@murfreesborotn.gov.
MTSU Police Chief Buddy Peaster said people should practice scenarios and think ahead of time.
ATF Supervisor Frank Haera said churches and places of worship should share information about concerns. ATF will respond to active shooting situations.
FBI Agent Mark Shafer suggested installing good quality surveillance cameras both inside and outside the building and install good lighting to prevent any crimes.