In an age when active shooters have become commonplace in schools, churches and workplaces, more ways are sought to protect places and gatherings.
Such is the case at Foursquare Gospel Church at 50 Sullivan Road in Bradford, where the Revs. Matthew and Janie McDonald have scheduled an “Active Shooter Training” program for 7 p.m. Tuesday for their congregation and the community.
The 90-minute program, described as a proactive response for places of worship to prepare and protect their congregation, is free and open to the public.
Janie McDonald said the event will focus on an active shooter video created by the international church of Foursquare Gospel in Los Angeles. McKean County Sheriff Dan Woods will also comment.
McDonald said a video was created by church leaders in Los Angeles approximately two years ago following the shooting and killing of nine people at a Bible study in Charleston, S.C. She noted that violence also struck a church closer to home — at the First Presbyterian Church in Coudersport in 2012, when the church organist was shot and killed by her ex-husband during Sunday morning services.
“They put this video together for active shooter training and we were not aware of it,” McDonald said, adding that after a shooting at a rural church in Texas in November claimed the lives of 26 people, their church superintendent advised they watch the video.
“I was able to get it and we watched it and liked it,” she said. “There are some police officers in it who give expert opinions. It’s really a proactive thing about what you can do to make your church a safer place.”
She said there is practical advice offered to help church leaders and their members assess their places of worship and determine if and where changes should be made.
“A lot of people think they have to put in these expensive security systems, but not every church can do that,” she continued. “It really focuses on normal, common sense practical things you can do to prevent future shootings from happening in churches.”
One common sense suggestion provided in the video is to limit entrance points in churches.
McDonald said on a typical Sunday, many churches may have a number of entrances that aren’t monitored to see who is coming in.
“Making some doors exit only and keeping only your most visual doors unlocked” will help keep a church safer, she explained. “You also have to make sure you have people available to see who is coming in and out.”
She said other helpful hints are provided in the video.
“For our church, we plan to develop a security team, where people will be communicating mostly by walkie-talkie,” McDonald added.
On a related note, McDonald said the video states many incidents at churches stem from domestic violence issues.
“You can have a hostile spouse stalking another spouse and there can be an incident going on in your parking lot,” she continued, noting the Coudersport incident fell into this category.
“You’ve got to have people who are mindful of those kinds of things,” she advised. “Not that you have to be militant about it, but you do have to have people who are designated to be aware of potential issues.”
She said churches may also have to deal with individuals who enter a sanctuary with mental health issues that have to be addressed.
For his part, Woods said he plans to explain the concealed carry law regarding handguns. He will also answer any questions the audience may ask.
“I was planning on bringing books with PA Firearms Laws and just mainly be available for any questions,” he said.
Woods said he is available to speak with other groups or organizations with similar concerns regarding the issue of active shooters.
He can be contacted by email at djwoods@mckeancountypa.org or at the sheriff’s department at 887-3454, ext. 4200.
