Safety Measures Help Prevent Tragic Disasters By Randy G. Tiller
T
he Diocese of Shreveport sponsored an important and timely seminar concerning the safety and the security of all parishes, staff personnel, and parishioners at the Catholic Center on August 13, 2019. Col. Gene Barattini, Retired, of the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and Officer Tony LeBlanc head of Homeland Security for the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office partnered to present a workshop on how to improve churches and schools emergency readiness entitled, “All Hazards Approach to School and Church Planning: It’s not a case of “if ” but “when.” Some of our parishes; namely, St. Jude in Benton, Christ the King in Bossier and the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans have made great strides to make materials and knowledge available to their staff, parishioners and students in the event of a catastrophic event. It is prudent that as a diocese every parish and school should have an emergency preparedness program in place in the event of active shooters, tornadoes and flooding, fires, explosions, hazardous material spills, and suspicious objects containing dangerous contents such as bombs, poisons, germs or bacteria. 1. Be aware of possible threats from individual attempts to surveil or “case” the security in our locations; people dressed in unseasonably bulky clothes; someone deliberately trying to gain access to restricted areas; or asking atypical questions regarding security procedures. 2. Be aware of threats to the facilities, vandalism accompanied with a claim of responsibility from known or suspected terrorist groups and graffiti spray-painted at the facility. Be aware of unattended packages, bags, back packs or briefcases and the potential dangers that may be in each container. 3. Be aware of loitering, or unusual activities that cause diversions, people handing out terrorist literature or posting unsavory literature on public bulletin boards or at entrances 24 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION
to events. These are only scratching the surface of the indicators of possible terrorist activities. It is already past the time to become part of the solution. By engaging in the following preventive measures ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors and our facilities can be protected: • Establish training programs, security procedures, and an alert system including a go-to person or phone number to report suspicious activity. • Maintain open lines of communication with law enforcement in your area; and know your first responders. • Establish direct communications with law enforcement persons and the ushers or sponsors of events. Learn the meaning of “run, hide, and fight.” • Establish tornado shelters, securing side doors five minutes before Mass begins, establishing exit routes and strategies, know where to go and how to get there in the event of an attack by weather or persons. • Know your fellow parishioners, do not be afraid to respectfully question unsavory or unknown persons carrying duffle bags or large backpacks; be vigilant and welcoming. • Know the parents of the other students in your child’s classrooms. • Know regular delivery personnel, vendors and especially authorized staff that are routinely on the property. • Install security cameras around the facility in the event of suspicious and dangerous activities. • Hire off duty law enforcement personnel in full uniform with weapons in plain sight for added security for open public events. (These arrangements can be made through the parish sheriff’s office for a nominal fee with a three or four hour minimum.) • Keep a log of any suspicious statements, behaviors, activities, items, persons and/or vehicles. Diocesan policy does not allow people to conceal and carry unless it is an active member of a law enforcement agency and they are known to the priest and preferably in full
