The recent mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh is a sad reminder of why armed security has become necessary for houses of worship. On October 27, Robert D. Bowers entered the synagogue with a semiautomatic assault-style rifle and began opening fire on the worshipers inside. 11 people were killed and 6 others were wounded in the shooting. The shooting was the deadliest attack carried out on the Jewish community in the history of the United States.
According to Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, “This was the single most lethal and violent attack on the Jewish community in the history of the country. We’ve never had an attack of such depravity where so many people were killed. . . . When you go into a synagogue, saying ‘I want to kill all the Jews,’ that’s a hate crime.”
“Soft targets” like the Tree of Life synagogue and First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Tex., where a gunman shot and killed 26 people during a Sunday service last year, are being targeted more frequently by hate groups that want to persecute ethnic and religious minorities, as well as disillusioned individuals seeking to harm others.
Between 2006 and 2016, there were 147 more church shootings than the 25 years prior. Churches and synagogues are particularly vulnerable to shooters because they tend to welcome and provide access for people passing by. According to the Center for Homicide Research, wanting to shoot an intimate partner was the reason for 17% of mass shootings carried out in churches
Due to the increase in mass shootings and terrorist threats being made across the country, more and more businesses and organizations are turning to armed security services to get the protection they need in the event of a shooting or terrorist attack.
Place of Worship Protection Services
At Capital Protection & Investigations, we are committed to helping people of all faiths feel safe in the place they visit to worship and pray. We can identify security concerns that make your place of worship vulnerable to an attack, and our security professionals will work with you to ensure you feel safe. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our founder, Michael Frassetti, provided security for churches, synagogues, and mosques throughout New York City, and we are here to provide you with the protection you need.
Call (888) 364-6185 to schedule your free, confidential consultation with a Sarasota private investigator today.