9 Investigates: Security expert says churches can be susceptible to crime

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Every weekend, thousands of people gather at houses of worship across the Charlotte area. They are places many go to find peace. But security experts say that doesn't mean criminals leave churches and temples alone.

"They view churches and other ministries as an easy target," said Carl Chinn, a church security expert and author.

Chinn said that as security at places like schools, malls and airports increases, criminals will look for easy access somewhere else, and that a house of worship by nature welcomes people in.

"It's a sacred place, but it needs to be a safe place," said Reverend Jim Martin, the church business administrator at Providence Baptist Church.

Rev. Martin said his church has had a security plan for years. So has First Baptist Church of Charlotte, where Associate Pastor of Administration Jonathan Rebsamen said he wants members to know he spends a lot of time thinking about their safety.

After the shooting at Sandy Hook, both churches say they looked at their plans again and spoke with other churches to see what they were doing.

"We do have an obligation, with the amount of traffic we have in our facility, that we keep people safe," said Pastor Rebsamen.

Some of the churches and temples Eyewitness News spoke with have cameras, access cards and doors that stay locked during the day. Others didn't want to discuss their plans publicly but said their plans include plainclothes security and off-duty officers.

"Those officers, during services they are walking campuses or patrolling parking lots," said Matthews Police Chief Rob Hunter.

Chief Hunter said some local churches and temples have reached out to his department for help creating a safety plan. The department makes sure it knows the response plans for the nearby houses of worship.

"Anywhere where you have large numbers of people, those become a little more of a focus of concern," said Chief Hunter.

Chinn said that religious organizations are where communities come together. He said there are personal conflicts, domestic issues that spill over, and crime like robberies.

"Churches are more dynamic now than they were in the past. Their borders are wider," said Chinn.

Chinn tracks certain crime at religious organizations. The latest on his list is a robbery in Monroe. Police say a man walked into a church on New Year's Eve and robbed some of the people at gunpoint.

"You have to treat those things as a wakeup call and do something to change your culture," said Chinn.

But he said some religious organizations either haven't done that or haven't gone far enough.

Some churches told Eyewitness News that it goes against their beliefs to shut people out at any time.

Both Rev. Martin and Pastor Rebsamen said they don't believe that having a security plan means people aren't welcome.

"I think it is the time in our lives to be alert," said Rev. Martin.

"We do believe God will protect us, we pray he will, but he’s also given us a will and we need to be proactive with that," said Pastor Rebsamen.

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