JPW Consulting Solutions

02/13/2024

In 2022, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill titled Pray Safe Act. This act would designate the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a clearinghouse for two parts. First, the DHS would "educate and publish online best practices and recommendations for safety and security for faith-based organizations and houses of worship". Second, the DHS would provide information for grant funding available to faith based organizations.

This bill is on "pause" in the House currently, but is being reviewed for further amendments. This bill is bipartisan, authored by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and five other senators from New Hampshire, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Nevada, South Dakota, and Michigan.

Faith based organizations have come under attack due to Islamophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of hate. This is why having a security consultation is important so organizations can identify strengths and vulnerabilities. Together we can build strong communities in our places of worship so they can continue doing the good work they do.

Cosponsors of S.2123 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Pray Safe Act

12/13/2023

Safety should be a shared responsibility between a business and the community, including the government. In this situation you have traffic safety concerns, lack of lighting, and programs/meetings being held to online because of safety issues. This pastor has a voice which seems to be ignored. Listening to him in the video, the pastor had a bigger concern of the safety and well being of people around his church than his just his church. I appreciate his concern.

The local government needs to step in. They bear some responsibility to fix their own infrastructure to enhance the safety for their community members. In addition to the lighting, business/church owners who seem to become victims (in this case speeding cars) can work government and other groups to put up anti-vehicle barriers. Or step up enforcement activities for speeding vehicles.

Lighting is integral to feeling safe and secure when walking in neighborhoods. Lighting reduces crime. Many studies show this. One New York study showed crime reduced by 39% when lighting was installed and maintained in controlled neighborhoods (CrimeLab, 2018).

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/safety-st-louis-pastor-missouri/63-6e585e8a-98a8-4293-bf0f-086c5ba9534f

Pastor Anthony Robinson's church has been hit by several speeding drivers who not only damaged the sanctuary inside but also the streetlights outside.

11/23/2023

Centuries ago Mykonos had a problem with piracy. How did they help prevent crime? By making the streets narrow, houses painted all the same color, and by having streets built non-linear (curved/not straight). Thus when pirates came to raid they became lost and couldn’t find their way back to the ship. .

11/23/2023

I have been to this beautiful place and was in awe on how a community from centuries ago could come together and design their streets and alleys to prevent crime and piracy.

10/17/2023

You can spend all the money in the world on the most robust and target-hardened physical security defence measures and mechanisms, however, poor planning, design, placement and lack of stakeholder holistic collaboration can in fact undo all your efforts!

10/09/2023

Many products are made available to businesses, churches, schools, and other organizations for safety and security. Although the design of the environment plays a role, what those places can install will also have an effect for safety. Here is a window product that is impossible to break from the outside when a perpetrator is trying to break in:

YOU CAN SHOOT OUT, BUT THEY CANT SHOOT IN

10/03/2023

Here’s an article on how security firms are using CPTED in their business practices to prevent crime from happening.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design combines multiple security disciplines to reduce crime and fear of crime. Often going by its acronym CPTED (pronounced sep-ted), this approach uses elements of architecture, facility management, and urban planning to discourage criminal behavior based on...

09/05/2023

Great Tip! Plant thorny bushes under windows to prevent criminals from getting close enough to look inside your home. Other great tips are in the article.

Toledo police officer James Below is certified in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. Here's what he says about landscaping and home safety.

08/22/2023

Not all human masked bandits wreak havoc on properties!

A wild raccoon was captured on camera breaking into Chosen Generation Outreach Ministry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and leaving a mess behind.

08/11/2023

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker stated violence against houses of worship have increased 59% since 2018.

Religious leaders throughout the U.S. are being asked to be vigilant against possible violent attacks.

08/05/2023

In this video the interviewee discusses how the school did everything right. They received a threat assessment and followed through on recommendations.

Memphis police are hailing a Jewish school for its safety plan, saying it prevented a potential mass shooting Monday. Former FBI agent Doug Kouns joined CBS News to discuss what the school got right.