UNDATED (AP) – Recent attacks have religious congregations across the United States concentrating on safety like never before.
While many houses of worship are declared gun-free zones, security is getting higher priority after the slaughter unleashed in June by a white shooter at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, and this month’s killings in San Bernardino, California.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations says vandalism and threats against mosques have increased since last month’s Islamist attacks in Paris.
Churches are refining their security plans ahead of receiving some of their largest crowds of the year for Christmas.
And the Anti-Defamation League, which works to secure Jewish sites, has been organizing safety training with other faith groups.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been holding specialized training for congregations for “all hazards, including active shooter incidents.”
