Area churches add security following shooting in Texas
A week after a gunman killed 26 in a shooting outside of San Antonio, a church in Leesburg has hired an armed security guard, and other houses of worship across Central Florida are firming up safety plans.
Art Ayris, the executive pastor of First Baptist Church in Leesburg, said leaders at his church decided to hire an armed security guard after debating the issue several times in the past.
“We realized it wasn’t enough to be undercover and we had to be visible,” Ayris said. “We feel like our church has a little more risk because … we end up attracting people that we just don’t know much about.”
The massive Lake County church attracts more than 1,000 each weekend and also has several ministries to combat drug addiction and mental-health issues.
Ayris said his congregation has several current and former law-enforcement officials in the church and others who choose to legally carry a firearm into services.
It’s been a week since a gun-
man stormed into The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas and killed 26 and wounded 20 more.
Sunday was the first time many in Central Florida returned to churches, many of which spent time last week evaluating their own security protocols.
At Longwood megachurch Northland, A Church Distributed, Security Director James Li met with the church staff last Monday to review policies and protocols and also assure them of their safety.
Li, who has headed security there for 16 years, said the megachurch employs law enforcement, uniformed and plainclothed private security, and a network of security cameras to keep the church safe.
“Staff members and congregants have been concerned,” Li said. “Even other church organizations have asked.”
With that in mind, Li is planning to host a seminar in the coming weeks to help other churches devise a plan of their own.
Sunday morning worshippers streamed into First United Methodist Church of Orlando past a security guard who was posted outside of the worship center’s front doors. Senior Pastor Tom McCloskey said the church has had the unarmed security guard for several years.
At St. James Catholic Cathedral downtown, parishioners enter the church past a security guard, as well.
The Islamic Society of Central Florida is adding more security guards and devices, while also hiring off-duty police officers at the mosque during its weekly services.
Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Center of Central Florida, said worshipers are more concerned than ever about security after the massacre at the church in Texas, fearing a copycat shooting.
Religious groups across Central Florida use offduty law enforcement officials to deter crime and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office offers security surveys through its Community Relations Office, Deputy Ingrid Tejada-Monforte said.
In Orlando, officials monitor local, national and global trends, Public Information Officer Michelle Guido said.
“Throughout our city, there are always security measures in place you will be able to see, and others you will not see,” Guido said. “As always, we encourage our residents and visitors to do their part by reporting suspicious activity to police.”
Larry Testerman, a retired minister who was attending service Sunday at First United Methodist Church, said he expects talk of church security will continue, but the correct answer will be different each congregation.
“We’re going to God’s house,” said Testerman, 70. “There may have to be some adjustments made in the future to compensate for this type of heinous act.”
“In times past we never would have to have this kind of conversation.”