Current:Home > NewsA new Homeland Security guide aims to help houses of worship protect themselves-InfoLens
A new Homeland Security guide aims to help houses of worship protect themselves
View Date:2024-12-23 20:44:53
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new guide from the Department of Homeland Security released Wednesday aims to help churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship protect themselves at a time of heightened tensions in faith-based communities across the country.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, an arm of Homeland Security, works with faith groups across the country to help them prepare for and prevent targeted violence against their facilities and their members. David Mussington, who’s in charge of infrastructure security at CISA, says the goal of the 16-page document is to give useable information in a format that’s easy to understand.
“It’s designed to be clear, to be less jargon-filled and to provide guidance and assistance in getting assistance from us,” Mussington said.
The guidance, dubbed “Physical Security Performance Goals for Faith-Based Communities,” outlines how faith groups can better protect themselves: keeping landscaping like hedges trimmed to prevent hiding places for attackers, for example, or only giving out necessary information during livestreams of services.
It also talks about having a plan in place for when something happens, such as having a predetermined spot where people can go and having a dedicated location for the faith community to memorialize people affected by what happened. There’s also information about federal government grants that houses of worship can apply for to pay for security improvements as well as other resources the department has developed to help communities.
Mussington said the guidelines have been in the works for months in response to concerns his agency has heard from various faiths about how to protect themselves.
“In this continued heightened threat environment, the Department of Homeland Security is committed to protecting every American’s right to live, express, and worship their faith freely and in safety,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. “The physical security performance goals we are releasing today provide churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based institutions with cost-effective, accessible, and readily implementable strategies to enhance their security and reduce the risk to their communities.”
The guidance will be distributed via CISA offices around the country and the agency’s network of roughly 125 protective security advisers across the country who work with various communities to provide security advice.
The guidance comes at a time of deep unease in many communities of faith across America. Jewish communities across the country have been worried about rising antisemitism even before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, taking efforts to defend their synagogues and communities. Since the Hamas attack, Mayorkas said, his agency has responded to an increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim, and Arab American communities in the U.S.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Judith Jamison, acclaimed Alvin Ailey American dancer and director, dead at 81
- Bodies of 2 hostages recovered in Gaza, Israel says
- Twins who survived Holocaust describe their parents' courage in Bergen-Belsen: They were just determined to keep us alive
- Experts at odds over result of UN climate talks in Dubai; ‘Historic,’ ‘pipsqueak’ or something else?
- Real Housewives of New York City Star’s Pregnancy Reveal Is Not Who We Expected
- 13-year-old accused of plotting mass shooting at Temple Israel synagogue in Ohio
- The last residents of a coastal Mexican town destroyed by climate change
- Roger Goodell responds to criticism of NFL officials for Kadarius Toney penalty
- All Social Security retirees should do this by Nov. 20
- Rights expert blasts Italy’s handling of gender-based violence and discrimination against women
Ranking
- High-scoring night in NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo explodes for 59, Victor Wembanyama for 50
- Hungry, thirsty and humiliated: Israel’s mass arrest campaign sows fear in northern Gaza
- Hugh Grant hopes his kids like 'Wonka' after being 'traumatized' by 'Paddington 2'
- Federal Reserve leaves interest rate unchanged, but hints at cuts for 2024
- Whoopi Goldberg Shares Very Relatable Reason She's Remained on The View
- From frontline pitchers to warm bodies, a look at every MLB team's biggest need
- With a rising death toll, Kenya's military evacuates people from flood-hit areas
- Buster Posey says San Francisco's perceived crime, drug problems an issue for free agents
Recommendation
-
Amazon Best Books of 2024 revealed: Top 10 span genres but all 'make you feel deeply'
-
NBA All-Star George McGinnis dies at 73 after complications from a cardiac arrest
-
University of Arizona announces financial recovery plan to address its $240M budget shortfall
-
Anxiety and resignation in Argentina after Milei’s economic shock measures
-
Gerry Faust, former Notre Dame football coach, dies at 89
-
Gia Giudice Reveals Whether She's Officially Becoming a Real Housewife Like Mom Teresa
-
Janet Yellen says the Trump administration’s China policies left the US more vulnerable
-
Kyle Richards Reveals How Her Bond With Morgan Wade Is Different Than Her Other Friendships