PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla -- On Monday, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast was at Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens to address security concerns after a fatal church shooting in Texas over the weekend and a stabbing at a Chanukah celebration in New York.
“I always said on the battlefield I was never going to die for a lack of shooting back and that same mentality it applies at home. You have to be prepared to defend yourself,” said Mast.
Security experts are advising places of worship to take a multi-layered approach to its safety measures.
“What they struggle with now is the understanding that having six guys that are concealed carriers bring their guns to church is not necessarily all that you need,” said lionhearted international services Chuck Holton.
Lionheart International Services is a private security company that serves churches in Palm Beach County. The staff is currently in Washington, D.C. for federal security meetings.
“Churches are hospitals for hurting and broken people and we are all hurting and broken, so it does need to be a welcoming place,” said Holton.
However, Holton says it’s important to have that balance between openness and looking out for the safety of your parishioners.
“We are pleased we really aren’t having to scramble and start at the drawing boards because we already have very strong protocols in place,” said Rabbi Dovid Vigler.
Rabbi Vigler with Chabad Palm Beach Gardens says its part of CSO, or the Community Security Organization that oversees more than 224 Chabad centers throughout Florida. They are constantly reevaluating its protocols and adjusting when necessary.
“When you see the frequency of these attacks that have occurred, I think as we move back into session just after the New Year I think it will certainly become a piece of conversation,” said Mast.
