Security workshops planned to keep parishes safe

As director of Risk Management for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Thomas Alban’s goal is to see that parishes remain welcoming and safe places to worship.

With that in mind, Alban and his team have organized a series of four regional safety workshops for parish personnel to provide tips and education on keeping people safe in their places of worship.

The seminars are geared to people who Alban refers to as “first responders,” parish volunteers who might be the first to encounter a difficult situation during a service. Particularly, Alban said the program is designed for ushers, greeters, sacristans, deacons and pastors.

“We want our churches to be open and welcoming, but also safe,” Alban said. “I hate to use the term, but churches are often considered a soft target. With training and a few basic tips, we can help mitigate that potential.

“I think it’s extremely important today more than ever to continue to promote a culture of safety and security,” he said.

Cory Eslick, a 25-year police veteran who has worked at the National Security Agency, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County, will conduct the training. His experience ranges from a patrol officer to school resource officer and working in the crisis-response unit.

Alban said the seminars provide baseline information for parishes to minimize potential problems, teaching a few basic cues for spotting visitors with motives other than worship.

“We want to provide the tools and a skill set to observe behavior and how to deal with it,” Alban said. “We certainly hope nothing happens, but we want our people to know how to respond when something does occur.”

Training will be held on the following dates:

• Oct 26, 6:30-8 p.m. – St. Gabriel, 6950 Dogwood Road, Windsor Mill. To enroll click: Usher Training 10/26 St Gabriel Parish – Google Sheets
• Nov. 2, 6:30-8 p.m. – Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles St., Homeland. To enroll click: Usher Training 11/2 Cathedral Mary our Queen – Google Sheets
• Nov. 16, 6:30-8 p.m. – Holy Spirit, 540 Joppa Farm Road, Joppa. To enroll click: Usher Training 11/16 Holy Spirit – Google Sheets
• Nov. 17, 6:30-8 p.m. – St. Joseph, 17630 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown. To enroll click: Usher Training 11/17 St Joseph, Hagerstown – Google Sheets
  

There is a 50-person limit for each session.

Email Gerry Jackson at gjackson@CatholicReview.org

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