Burglary prevention involves controlling access to church property, maintaining an effective surveillance system, and maintaining sufficient lighting to deter the casual thief.

Controlling access to the property is a central part of a burglary prevention plan. Make sure that all doors fit snugly; doorframes are solid and secure; one-inch deadbolt locks are on all exterior ...

Robberies occur less frequently than burglaries, but they can threaten the well-being of church employees because, unlike burglaries, they involve a personal threat or the actual use of force. Church employees should not resist a robber.

Church secretaries who are working alone at the church most often are the victims of robbery. In addition, individuals have been assaulted in ...

In the late 1990s, a series of church fires heightened the problem of arson. In response, the government published a guide to help churches reduce their risk. This lesson summarizes those steps (see "Further Resources" for a link to the full document).

Arson creates major financial losses for churches and severe destruction to property. People set church buildings or schools on ...

Each year, churches experience significant losses due to vandalism. Vandals often act impulsively. Lighting and surveillance systems are two key ways to reduce vandalism.

Lighting is one of the best and least expensive forms of prevention:

• Lights must have sufficient illumination.
• Install protective lighting around locations that someone might use to enter the facilities, such as doors, windows, or skylights. The parking lot and street entrances into the parking lot also should have good illumination.

Computer crime is on the increase. Churches should use anti-virus software on their computer systems, maintain regular back-up copies of data, and enforce specific policies regarding employees and their use of computers.

Increasingly, churches are dependent on databases, records, and files maintained on office computer equipment. The loss or destruction of that information could generate ...