On July 1st, Jonathan Richeson, former USAF Officer and current Protective Security Advisor (PSA) for the Cleveland District of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Rev. Dr. Peter Spiro, Director of the Archdiocese National Human Trafficking Awareness “FREEDOM” Ministry, conducted a workshop on “Church Physical Safety and Preparedness” at the 48th Clergy-Laity Congress in Cleveland, Ohio.
Attendees learned about essential, low-cost security best practices that can be implemented immediately, gained access to a vast library of ready-made evaluation tools and templates for parish security, and learned about the kinds of state and federal grants available to help parishes harden their communities against targeted acts of violence or terrorism. The workshop equipped participants to form a parish safety and security committee and equip members with the knowledge, tools, resources, and grant opportunities necessary to create a safe and welcoming parish environment.
