GEORGETOWN, Ky. (LEX 18) — It’s unfortunate that these are the times in which we live.
“Talking about what needs to happen in their facilities to make them better and safer for their congregants.” According to Pastor Mike Justice of Georgetown’s Church of the Nazarene, this is why he hosted a seminar put on by the Scott County Sheriff. It was done to educate church personnel, and their security, on how to best deal with – or potentially avoid - an active shooter situation.
Sergeant Eddie Hart showed slides depicting the kind of unspeakable damage that can be done, that has actually been done, when a church is ambushed. He even alluded to the 2001 church shooting in Hopkinsville.
“What we’re hoping for,” Hart said, “is that they’ll go back, set up their own plan that’s specific to their church. What we’re using is best practices for church security,” he continued, while explaining the nature of Friday’s tutorial.
Much of the session was off-limits for public consumption, so not to reveal many of the methods and tactics that were being taught. Churches and schools have been under siege in recent years, and there’s a clear, concise reason for that.
“They’ve become a soft area because, in the eyes of some, they’re not prepared. So we’re taking this step today to prepare the churches of central Kentucky,” Hart said.
This was not a scare tactic. This seminar was conducted because law enforcement officials have legitimate concerns over the security inside our houses of worship. When you go to church, the idea is to pray to the Supreme Being. Not to pray that you make it out alive.
“This is stuff we need to know, need to be ready for, but hope to never have to use,” said Justice.
You needn’t be devout to pray for that.
