Security in an American LDS Church building is less than stellar.
I am concerned about an incident that happened while I was out of town (thankfully).
A Sister’s ex-husband showed up on Sunday during Primary time. He was searching for his children that he had a weekend visit with that weekend. Apparently, the kids did not want to be with their dad that weekend and their mother did not want to force them. The EX wanted his kids and went into their Primary class to get them. Their teacher did not want him to take them. There are lots of details I do not have, but in the process of trying to forcibly remove the kids the EX pushed either his ex-wife or his child’s primary teacher (a sister) down. He did assault both in some way because that is what they charged him with. The police showed up and took the EX into custody. No one was seriously hurt but there was enough contact to warrant assault charges. I’m not sure of all the implications but I know the children have not been with their father since. I was in the Bishopric, so I was aware that this incident was reported to Salt Lake and the legal and security departments gave directions. A restraining order was filed against the EX, and he never came back. I knew Church Security was aware of this incident because of my friend who was working Church Security at the time. He had talked to our Bishop. I have known the EX since the beginning of his relationship with his ex-wife (who has since remarried). He is a snake. I believe he had drugs planted on his ex-wife’s car so that they were caught at a Border Patrol checkpoint. Her husband took the rap and did his sentence which I believe was parole. I do not trust the EX. I have had run-ins with him myself. He is scared of me and with good reason. I have told him I am on to him and that I know who he really is and that he can try to fool others. My wife and I drive by the home of his ex-wife which is off of a hi-way, on our way to our house. One day we went by their home and noticed a car at their gate. Their gate is only closed and locked when they are away from home. I turned around and caught the EX climbing the gate. I told him he should not trespass and that he should leave. He gave me a little attitude and so I stepped out of my car, my wife was driving. He scurried to his car and rolled up the window. We had some words, and I probably insulted his height. Anyway, the Sheriff showed up there after he was called by the EX’s ex-wife who had some phone calls from the EX and was on her way home. I told the officer I had stopped the EX from trespassing and that I was leaving. This is previous to the above incident at church. The EX had a jerk personality. I would not be surprised if I ended up in jail one day over this weasel. But rest assured, if I am in jail, he is in the hospital drinking through a straw.
My concern is this. We get so comfortable at Church that we have no type of guard up when something like this happens. Here in the U.S. we live in relative safety and security. But because of that, we are not very concerned about security. If there are any Church leadership who read this, I beg you, please implement some security features. Lock all the doors but one.
Have a priesthood holder cruise the hallways. If you are so inclined put together security teams with some training and organization. Don’t depend on “Run, Hide, Fight” to save your members in the case of a mass shooter incident. At the very least, have your members who are law enforcement, if you have several, be in contact with each other to coordinate in some way. Don’t leave the security of your wives and children to chance. Prepare!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
No comments:
Post a Comment