Church Safety Security Tip: Don't just rush out! A common parking lot scenario

[@samamsterdam4301]

I used to be a janitor at the church you were talking about where the security guy was killed.

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Wow, small world! So sorry about the loss!! What can you share about the behind the scenes stuff that was not put on in the media, like was he on duty alone or did he have a partner in the building? What event was going on that had him on duty? Man, I could go on and on with lots of background questions to build a better picture of how the situation evolved!

[@samamsterdam4301]

@@GentleResponseLLC I wasn't there on that particular day but it was at The Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque on Osuna. It was during a church service and he was alone, which is why nobody noticed for a while. He was a servant volunteer and confronted some suspicious activity in the parking lot when he was dragged by a car as they were just trying to get away. It wasn't uncommon for a senior staff member to grab one of us and go out to the parking lot to see what was going on. One time someone reported a person stealing a car in the parking lot but when we got out there it was just a person changing their tire. Now they are required to go in pairs after the tragedy. Calvary has had a lot of threats so for a while they were definately treating little stuff too heavy handed when it ended up being innocent. On this particular day our brother may have been better off just letting them leave as they were determined to do. He's with The Lord now. They caught the person though. Edit: I guess I was mistaken about it being during church service in my post because it happened on a Friday evening. So it wasn't during a service but there were various ministries going on that night on campus.

[@Shinobi1Kenobi]

Excellent overview of the proper mindset & a little tactics regarding how 2 approach "suspicious activity" in the parking lot.

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Thank you for the kind words and support! Just trying to pass on some basic tactics to help ensure people go home safe!

[@frankryberg6049]

Great suggestions. We try to always go out in pairs to keep an eye on the surroundings. We also evaluate whether an appropriate response is better taken care of by police. Very helpful.

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Yes indeed! Try to work in pairs, and if you can't or don't have a partner, you must REALLY pause and think things through! Thanks for taking a moment to comment!

[@user-hv9cs9zi4d]

Great video

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Thank you, and thank you for taking a moment to comment!

[@davidelzinga9757]

I’m working in a building across the street from the Amazon warehouse you’re talking about. It’s possible one of the burglars may have fired a warning shot into the air at some point. Could also be that someone practicing nearby had a ricochet at a similar time. Either way, my roofers found and repaired a bullet hole in the roof

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Oh wow. Another great example of why to proceed with extreme caution when approaching an unknown! Thanks for taking a moment to comment!

[@tjbishop8823]

My coworkers are police officers I serve at my church Saturday and Sunday mornings

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Be safe out there! Thanks for taking a moment to comment!

[@johnriley9597]

Great post! Good things to consider!

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Thank you for taking a moment to comment!

[@tjbishop8823]

Call the police

[@GentleResponseLLC]

Yes, a lot of people don't realize or appreciate that being good witnesses is often times the best option. Getting personally involved and directly interacting with criminals in action increases probability of personal injury. Thanks for taking a moment to comment!

[@user-bl4hb1bq9t]

So I'm an old school Armed Guard. I learned how, back in the 80's, I had a Maglite & .38! No radio, cellphones hadn't been invented & I had to do foot patrols in parking lots. On most properties all I has was my car. No bathroom or phone. If we needed either we had to leave the property & hope a gas station was open if not. It was easier to find a payphone. We cowboy up & got her done. Running them off was a victory! None of this pussy shit today. The cops were usless just like today!

[@GentleResponseLLC]

LOL Yeah, I've had a LOT of "old school" folks tell me they wish they had known about the conflict de-escalation basics that I teach! Thanks for taking a moment to comment!

[@user-bl4hb1bq9t]

@@GentleResponseLLC I'm a stand your ground guy! My de-escalation technique is OC gel early & often! I don't give the vagrants a chance to act up! They get to leave real quick!