Safety Measures Help Prevent Tragic Disasters by Randy G. Tiller

Safety Measures Help Prevent Tragic Disasters

The 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 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 By Randy G. Tiller

uniform with weapons in plain sight; however, diocesan policy encourages action that ensures the safety and security of everyone present.

Parishioners or visitors that do conceal and carry without prior knowledge of the pastor and ushers is a threat to themselves and others.

Parishes are allowed to make ushers and staff aware of law enforcement in attendance at services or meetings or events.

This is intended to make everyone aware of potential dangers and heighten that awareness to a level of action. We do not want our services or social events to become overburdened with security issues. We do want our services and social events to be safe!

Please contact Officer LeBlanc at the Caddo Parish Sheriff Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness 318-675-2258 or email: tony.leblanc@caddosheriff.org for more information or to schedule an appointment for him to meet with your ushers or staff to help you establish a program. Although some may not be in Caddo Parish, Officer LeBlanc will contact your parish sheriff’s office on your behalf. In Bossier please contact Colonel Gene Barattini at 318-425-5352 or email: gbarattini@bohsep.org

If you are interested in more information or a Safety Checklist for Disaster Preparedness please contact Ed Hydro, Facility Manager (ehydro@dioshpt.org; 318-219-7277) or Randy Tiller, Chancellor (rtiller@dioshpt.org; 318-219-7256) Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of others.

Preventing these catastrophic events whether fire or weather related or terrorist events from happening is a community effort, a parish effort, a school effort.

A partnership between the community and law enforcement is essential to the success of any emergency preparedness program.

Please move your parish to action to prevent disasters!

From the Office of the Chancellor Randy G. Tiller

Very Reverend Peter B. Mangum, Diocesan Administrator, has issued the following appointments.

• Reverend Philip Michiels appointed Defender of the Bond effective August 13, 2019 for three years. • Deacon Clary Nash, Diocesan Director of Permanent Deacons and Coordinator of Permanent Deacon Formation Program retirement accepted effective September 30, 2019 • Deacon William “Bill” Roche appointed Diocesan Director of Permanent Deacons and Coordinator of Permanent Deacon Formation Program effective September 1, 2019 in addition to his assignment as Permanent Deacon at St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport. • Reverend Joseph Kuzhichalil, C.M.I. relieved as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop, LA effective September 6, 2019. • Reverend Timothy C. Hurd, appointed Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop, LA, effective September 7, 2019. • Reverend Biju Kuriakose, C.M.I, appointed Sacramental Minister of Sacred Heart Parish, Rayville, LA and St. Joseph Parish, Bastrop, LA effective October 1, 2019 in addition to serving as Sacramental Minister at St. Frederick High School, Monroe. Rrelieved of assignment as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Monroe and St. Lawrence Church, Swartz, LA. • Deacon Freeman Ligon appointed Contact Person for Catholic Scouting effective September 6, 2019 while remaining as Permanent Deacon at St. Joseph Parish, Shreveport, LA