Protecting Our Places of Worship

Our churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues are sacred spaces where people come together in peace, prayer, and community. Yet, recent attacks in Minneapolis and Michigan remind us that no sanctuary is automatically safe. In August, a gunman opened fire through the window of a church in Minneapolis. Just a month later in Michigan, an attacker drove through a church, opened fire, and set it ablaze.

We cannot ignore these warnings. It is time for Congress and our state legislatures to act with urgency by funding measures that will harden places of worship against violent attacks. This could include federal or state grants, or even appointing a dedicated official—a “faith community security czar”—to coordinate resources and best practices.

A Personal Example of Vigilance

I’ve been involved with the Indian American community in Cary for more than 20 years. At one Hindu temple event where my students were performing, I noticed a side door that had not latched properly. Anyone could have walked in without authorization. I wasn’t hired to check security—but I acted immediately. Why? Because I care about the safety and well-being of every person I encounter.

That same vigilance must now be practiced at every place of worship. Assigning security team members, training volunteers, and raising awareness puts members at peace so they can focus on worship rather than fear.

As someone who has taught personal protection for 20 years in Cary and who also works as a certified cybersecurity professional, I understand that the first priority in security—whether digital or physical—is protecting human life. Monitoring doors, safe entry and exit, and controlled access points are just as essential for a church or temple as they are for a secure computer network.

What Can Be Done

Congress and state legislatures should make available targeted funds or grants for:

Physical Barriers: Bollards to prevent vehicle ramming attacks.

Window Security: Ballistic or privacy glazing to obscure sightlines and resist gunfire.

Controlled Entry: Secure access systems with proper locks, monitoring, and entry policies.

Surveillance & Detection: Cameras, intrusion alarms, and AI-enhanced monitoring to identify threats.

Volunteer Security Training: Grants for training ushers and greeters in threat recognition and response (similar to “See Something, Say Something”).

Emergency Planning: Support for congregations to develop evacuation and shelter-in-place plans.

Cyber-Physical Overlap: Protecting livestream systems, donor databases, and communication networks from cyberattacks that could compromise safety.

Partnerships with Law Enforcement: Statewide liaisons to strengthen coordination between first responders and faith communities.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security already recognizes the importance of this issue through its Faith-Based Security Advisory Council, which provides guidance on protecting places of worship.

https://www.dhs.gov/faith-based-security-advisory-council

Now, it’s time for Congress and our state legislatures to follow through with dedicated funding and support to implement those recommendations.

The Call to Action

I urge every pastor, imam, rabbi, and temple leader to reach out to your elected officials.

Ask them:

Will you support grants or funding to harden our houses of worship?

Will you sponsor or co-sponsor legislation that prioritizes the safety of congregations?

Will you ensure that people of every faith have a secure place to pray and gather?

We cannot wait for another tragedy. Together, let’s raise our voices to protect our sanctuaries and keep faith communities safe.