Sheriff’s offices working to keep places of worship safe

ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WWAY) — In light of violence around the country, Sheriff’s Offices across the state are implementing a new program to help keep places of worship safe.

“Since 1999, there have been 1,018 attacks of some type in churches or places of worship,” said Chief Deputy Larry Guyton with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

Several months ago, Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram suggested a program to the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association in light of recent attacks at community gatherings and places of worship in the US and around the world.

“The idea was that it would be uniform across the state,” said Guyton.

The NCSA developed a lesson plan and just this week in Bladen County, law enforcement has sent the plans to churches throughout the area.

“It starts off with an assessment. We would go in, and with the members of the church, we would do a security assessment. We would determine where their security needed additional changes as far as locks and things like that,” Guyton said.

Officers will work with congregations on best practices in case of an emergency.

“…now the concept has gone to run, if you can get out safely get out and get away,” said Guyton.

They will also teach folks how to hide and fight should the need arise.