ATF - CHURCH THREAT ASSESSMENT GUIDE

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
National Church Arson Task Force

MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL CHURCH ARSON TASK FORCE

The burning of churches is a particularly heinous crime because those who would attack our churches seek to strike at our most fundamental liberties and sources of personal support. Historically, churches have served as places of sanctuary, centers of the community, and symbols of freedom. The National Church Arson Task Force is committed to fully applying our investigative resources to determine the cause of those fires and arrest and prosecute those responsible for the arsons.

One aspect of this commitment is the dissemination of the Church Threat Assessment guide. It contains valuable information on the steps that may be taken to prevent fires at churches, the steps to follow after an incident has occurred, the toll free telephone number, 1-888-ATF-FIRE, and the telephone numbers of ATF and FBI offices for providing authorities information about any acts of violence, or threats of violence, directed at churches nationwide.

We must all work together to solve and prevent these despicable crimes. With your continued assistance and support, and your cooperation in applying the recommendations contained within this booklet, churches and congregations will be better protected from this type of violence.

James E. Johnson
Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury
(Enforcement)
Deval L. Patrick
Assistant Attorney General
for Civil Rights
John W. Magaw
Director,
Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms
Louis Freeh
Director,
Federal Bureau
of Investigation

CHURCH THREAT ASSESSMENT GUIDE

The following is a guide to assessing church vulnerability to arson and bombing attacks. It should not be considered all inclusive. Your local Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) office, FBI office, fire, police or sheriff's department should be con-tacted for additional guidance concerning a specific plan for your church.

Area Of Vulnerability

Churches located in isolated or rural areas.
Churches left unattended for extended periods of time.
Churches with unsecured doors and/or uncovered windows leave weak points for forced entry by intruders.
The absence of an adequate burglar alarm system provides a determined criminal with additional time for criminal activity.
Heavy shrubs and outside vegetation, and/or the absence of sufficient perimeter lighting, provides security for criminals, not victims.

Affirmative Actions To Reduce Vulnerability

Install perimeter floodlights outside the building.
Criminals can conceal their presence and activity from witnesses at night. Adequate lighting that illuminates all points of entry (doors, windows, skylights, etc.) discour-ages them. Interior lights in areas visible through exterior windows should be left on during all hours of darkness. Exterior lights should have protective screens over them to prevent vandalism. All lights should be checked weekly for serviceability. Rela-tively inexpensive motion activated and/or timing equipment may be purchased to automatically turn lights on and off.
Install an adequate fire and burglar alarm system.
Alarms should be installed by reputable local companies that can service and pro-perly maintain the equipment. Please note that some municipalities or police depart-ments have enacted burglar alarm standards and will not respond to false alarms by inferior systems that frequently cause false alarms. Check with your local police or sheriff's department.
Solid wood or sheet metal faced doors provide extra integrity that a hollow core wooden door cannot. Metal security grates or screens that cover the entire door and frame also provide added security.
A steel door frame that properly fits the door is as important as the construction of the door.
With the proper foundation of a sufficient door and frame, the most obvious consider-ation, door locks, can be addressed. Long throw dead bolts of hardened steel are excellent deterrents to forced entry. Many standard locks are easy to pick or break open. Do remember that exits must remain operable for fire and life safety reasons.
Install burglar-proof bars on screens, and large roof vents to prohibit access through them. However, it should be noted that aesthetic or fire safety considerations often preclude their use. If bars are used, they should be operable from interior and not limit exit or evacuation of building. Local ordinances should be researched BEFORE costly security renovations are undertaken.
Windows are common points of entry for criminals, regardless of their height from the ground. Burglars can open unlocked windows, break glass and unlock locked windows, saw through metal or wooden frames, or pry entire window frames from exterior walls.
Heavy shrubs and vines should be kept low to the ground to reduce their potential to conceal criminals or incendiary or explosive devices. Large trees or vines should be removed to prevent criminals from climbing to upper windows, large vents, or onto the roof.
Participate in formal Neighborhood Watch type programs organized by local authorities.
Meet with your neighbors and security personnel assigned to your neighboring businesses. Explain your situation and ask them to keep an eye on your church.
Educate personnel on methods to deal with telephoned threats and conducting bomb searches. Develop a written protocol for threats and keep it posted.
Document any strange or threatening phone calls. Talk with the phone company about tracing your lines or installing Caller ID to identify your callers if you are receiv-ing threats.
If a suspicious package or letter is received, immediately call your local police or sheriff's department. Do not touch or manipulate the object in any manner. Be alert for letters or packages that display an excessive amount of postage, contain grease stains, or have unfamiliar or missing return addresses. (See the "SUSPECT LETTER AND PACKAGE INDICATORS " page)
Keep the handling of threatening correspondence, once identified, to an absolute minimum. Place envelopes, letters or the packages in clear plastic bags and do not compress the bag. Store them in another location until they can be turned over to law enforcement.
On a rotating basis, have a member of the congregation, who is at least 18 years of age, check on the church daily. Evaluate the need for a security guard for nights and weekends.
Obtain as detailed a physical description as possible of any suspicious person(s) noticed in or around your facility, including a description of vehicles and license numbers. (Refer to enclosed worksheet, "Suspect Description")
Duplicate all documents, computer disks, and records that are stored at the church. Complete a comprehensive inventory of all furniture and equipment, to include serial numbers and value. Evaluate insurance coverage frequently.

Remove all potential fire hazards from the church grounds, such as trash, lawn clippings and debris. Store all combustible materials in a locked room, shed, etc.

CAUTIONARY NOTES:

A. DO NOT allow watch persons to sleep inside the church

B. The carrying of firearms, nightsticks, mace, or any type of weapon while conducting surveillance or participating in church watch programs should not be permitted.

C. DO NOT approach a suspicious person, challenge anyone, or otherwise place yourself in jeopardy. If a suspicious situation is found, report it to the nearest law enforcement agency. Take detailed, legible notes of the activity, which may be used later for court or police purposes.

D. DO NOT pursue vehicle or suspects.

E. Remember, you do not possess police powers and you are liable as an individual for civil and criminal charges should you exceed your authority. The key is to OBSERVE and REPORT.

F. DO NOT allow anyone to check on the church after having consumed alcohol. Do not allow anyone to stand watch and consume alcohol.

G. If possible, conduct the watch patrol in pairs.

H. Conduct watches in a random fashion and not in an observable pattern.

OTHER CRIMES AGAINST CHURCHES

It is a crime if your place of worship is defaced or vandalized. Also, should any of the members of your congregation be threatened or intimidated by an individual or group obstructing their free exercise of religious beliefs, immediately contact local law enforce-ment authorities and the nearest FBI office. All of the above incidents are serious matters which the FBI can and will investigate under Federal Civil Rights Statutes.

CONCLUSION

Please realize that a perfect security system does not exist and that some of these recommendations may or may not be practical for a place of worship. However, these suggestions can reduce the potential for an arson, bombing, vandalism or burglary at your church. Many of the listed security measures are quite expensive and may be be-yond the means of many churches. Local police crime prevention sections are excellent sources for security evaluations and suggestions. Also, local fire departments can pro-vide on-site fire safety and arson prevention inspections. They will assist you in prioritiz-ing your needs within your budget constraints.

We realize these recommendations are not all inclusive. We welcome your ideas for improving this assessment and also the descriptions of any measures you have taken, not contained within this guide, that should be shared with other congregations. Please contact the Task Force through our Toll Free number, 1-888-ATF-FIRE, to provide this information.

Through the Clearinghouse for Arson Prevention Resources, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is making available an assortment of arson prevention brochures and pamphlets. Technical assistance on the development of arson watch teams is also available. Requests for arson prevention workshops, as well as for on-site safety inspections of houses of worship can be made through the Clearinghouse. If you are interested in arson prevention information, please contact the Clearinghouse toll-free by dialing 1-888-603-3100. FEMA has also added a special section to its World Wide Web site (http://www.fema.gov) in support of the National Arson Prevention Initiative.

Warning! Suspect Letter and Package Indicators

NATIONAL CHURCH ARSON TASK FORCE

   ATF National Arson Hotline                           Toll Free 1-888-ATF-FIRE
     (Operational 24 Hours A Day)
   
   ATF National Bomb HOTLINE                            Toll Free 1-888-ATF-BOMB
     (Operational 24 Hours A Day)
   
   Clearinghouse For Arson Prevention Resources         Toll Free 1-888-603-3100

ATF LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD OFFICES

  Atlanta Field Division:                                      404-331-6526
   
  Atlanta, GA. (Arson II Group)                                404-331-6436  
  Macon, GA.                                                   912-474-0477
  Savannah, GA.                                                912-652-4251
   
  Baltimore Field Division:                                    410-962-0897 
   
  Baltimore, MD. (Group I)                                     410-962-4115
  Hyattsville, MD.                                             301-436-8313
  Wilmington, DE.                                              302-573-6102
  
  Birmingham Field Division:                                   205-731-1205   
   
  Birmingham, AL.                                              205-731-1111    
    
  Gulfport, MS.                                                601-863-4871
  Huntsville, AL.                                              205-539-0623
  Jackson, MS.                                                 601-965-4205
  Mobile, AL.                                                  334-441-5338
  Montgomery, AL.                                              333-223-7507
  Oxford, MS.                                                  601-234-3751
   
  Boston Field Division:                                       617-565-7042
   
  Boston (Group I/Arson)                                       617-565-7050
  Burlington (Willston,VT.)                                    802-463-3238
  Hartford, CT.                                                203-240-3185
  New Haven, CT.                                               203-773-2060
  Portland, ME.                                                207-780-3324
   
  Boston Field Division:                                       617-565-7042

  Concord, NH.                                                 603-225-1547
  Providence, RI.                                              401-528-4366
  Springfield, MA.                                             413-785-0007
  Worchester, MA.                                              508-793-0240

  Charlotte Field Division:                                    704-344-6125 

  Charlotte, NC. (Group I)                                     704-344-6126
  Charlotte, NC. (Group II)                                    704-344-6119
  Charleston, SC.                                              803-727-4275
  Columbia, SC.                                                803-765-5723   
  Fayetteville, NC.                                            910-483-3030
  Greenville, SC.                                              864-232-3221
  Greensboro, NC.                                              910-547-4224
  Raleigh, NC.                                                 919-856-4366
  Wilmington, NC.                                              910-343-4936    

  Cleveland Field Division:                                    216-522-7210   

  Cincinnati, OH.                                              513-684-3354
  Cleveland, OH.                                               216-522-308O/3786
  Columbus, OH.                                                614-469-6717
  Toledo, OH.                                                  419-259-7520 
  Youngstown, OH.                                              216-747-8285

  Chicago Field Division:                                      312-353-6935

  Chicago, IL. (Arson Group)                                   312-886-5441
  Oakbrook, IL.                                                708-268-0986/1274
  Springfield, IL.                                             217-492-4273
  Merrillville, IN.                                            219-791-0702
     
  Dallas Field Division:                                       214-767-2250
 
  Dallas, TX. (Arson Group)                                    214-767-0530
  Fort Worth, TX.                                              817-334-2771
  Lubbock, TX.                                                 806-798-1030
  Oklahoma, TX.                                                405-297-5060
  Tyler, TX.                                                   903-592-3927
  Tulsa, OK.                                                   918-581-7731

  Detroit Field Division:                                      313-393-6019

  Detroit, MI. (Arson Group)                                   313-393-6036
  Flint, MI.                                                   810-766-5010
  Grand Rapids, MI.                                            616-456-2566
     
  Houston Field Division:                                      713-449-2073

  Austin, TX.                                                  512-349-4545
  Beaumont, TX.                                                409-835-0062
  Corpus Christi, TX.                                          512-888-3392
  El Paso, TX.                                                 915-534-6449
  Houston, TX (Arson Group)                                    713-449-2093  
  McAllen, TX.                                                 210-687-5207
  San Antonio, TX.                                             210-805-2727
  Waco, TX.                                                    817-741-9900    

  Kansas City Field Division:                                  816-421-3440

  Colorado Springs, CO.                                        719-473-0166   
  Des Moines, IA.                                              515-284-4372
  Denver, CO. (Arson/Explosives Group)                         303-866-1173
  Kansas City, MO. (Arson Group)                               816-421-3231
  Omaha, NE.                                                   402-221-3651 
  Springfield, MO.                                             417-864-4707 
  Wichita, KS.                                                 316-269-6229

  Los Angeles Field Division:                                  213-894-4812

  Los Angeles, CA. (Arson Group)                               213-894-4840
  Long Beach, CA.                                              310-980-3434
  Riverside, CA.                                               909-276-6031
  San Diego, CA.                                               619-557-6663  
  Van Nuys, CA.                                                818-756-4350

  Louisville Field Division:                                   502-582-5211

  Ashland, KY.                                                 606-329-8092
  Bowling Green, KY.                                           502-781-7090
  Ft. Wayne, IN.                                               219-424-4440
  Indianapolis, IN.                                            317-226-7464
  Lexington, KY.                                               606-233-2771
  Louisville, KY. (Field Office)                               502-582-5213        
                       
  Miami Field Division:                                        305-597-4800   

  Jacksonville, FL.                                            904-232-2228
  Ft. Lauderdale, FL.                                          954-356-7369 
  Ft. Myers, FL.                                               813-334-8086 
  Miami Field Division (Continued):                            305-597-4800   

  Hato Rey San Juan, PR.                                       809-766-5084
  Miami, FL.                                                   305-597-4778/4807
  Orlando, FL.                                                 407-648-6136
  Pensacola, FL.                                               904-435-8485
  St. Croix, VI.                                               809-692-9435 
  St. Thomas, VI.                                              809-774-5757 
  Tallahassee, FL.                                             904-942-9660
  Tampa, FL.                                                   813-228-2184  
  West Palm Beach, FL.                                         407-835-8878   

  Nashville Field Division:                                    615-781-5364 

  Chattanooga, TN.                                             423-855-6422
  Knoxville, TN.                                               423-545-4505
  Memphis, TN.                                                 901-766-2904

  New Orleans Field Divison:                                   504-589-2350

  Baton Rouge, LA.                                             504-389-0485
  Little Rock, AR.                                             501-324-6181
  New Orleans, LA. (Arson Group)                               504-589-2314/2563
  Shreveport, LA.                                              318-676-3301

  New York Field Division:                                     212-264-4658

  Albany, NY.                                                  518-431-4182
  Buffalo, NY.                                                 716-551-4041
  Melville, NY.                                                516-694-8372
  New York (Arson Group)                                       718-896-6400
  Newark, NJ. (Arson Group)                                    201-357-4070
  Rochester, NY.                                               716-262-2110
  Syracuse, NY.                                                315-448-0889

  Philadelphia Field Division:                                 215-597-7266

  Atlantic City, NJ.                                           609-625-2228
  Camden, NJ.                                                  609-968-4884 
  Harrisburg, PA.                                              717-782-3884
  Philadelphia, PA. (Arson Group)                              215-597-9080
  Pittburgh, PA. (Arson Group)                                 412-644-2911
  Reading, PA.                                                 610-320-5222        
  Trenton, NJ.                                                 609-989-2155
  Wheeling, WV.                                                304-232-4170 

  Phoenix Field Division:                                      602-640-2840

  Albuquerque, NM.                                             505-766-2271   
  Phoenix, AR.(Field Office)                                   602-640-205
  Tucson, AR.                                                  520-670-4725/4882

  San Francisco Field Division:                                415-744-7001

  Bakersfield, CA.                                             805-861-4420
  Fresno, CA.                                                  209-487-5393
  Las Vegas, NV.                                               702-388-6584
  Reno, NV.                                                    702-784-5251
  Oakland, CA.                                                 510-637-3431
  Sacramento, CA.                                              916-498-5100
  Salt Lake City, UT.                                          801-524-5853
  San Francisco, CA. (Arson Group)                             415-744-7012
                                 
  Seattle Field Dvision:                                       206-220-6440

  Agana, GUAM                                                  671-472-7129
  Anchorage, AK.                                               907-271-5701
  Billings, MT.                                                406-657-6886
  Boise, ID.                                                   208-334-1983
  Cheyenne, WY.                                                307-772-2346
  Helena, MT.                                                  406-441-1101
  Honolulu, HI.                                                808-541-2670
  Portland, OR.                                                503-326-2171
  Seattle, WA. (Arson Group)                                   206-220-6450  
  Spokane, WA.                                                 509-353-2862
  Yakima, WA.                                                  509-454-4403

  St. Louis Field Division:                                    314-425-5560

  Cape Girardeau, MO.                                          573-335-3163
  Fairview Heights, IL.                                        618-632-9380
  St. Louis, MO. (Field Offices)                               314-425-5563/5551

  St. Paul Field Division:                                     612-290-3092

  Fargo, ND.                                                   701-239-5176
  Milwaukee, WI.                                               414-297-3937
  Sioux Falls, SD.                                             605-330-4368
  St. Paul, MN.(Field Office)                                  612-290-3459

  WASHINGTON FIELD DIVISION:                                   202-219-7751

  Bristol, VA.                                                 540-466-2727
  Falls Church, VA. (Arson Group)                              703-285-2551
  Norfolk, VA.                                                 804-441-3190
  Richmond, VA.                                                804-560-0005
  Roanoke, VA.                                                 540-857-2300

Federal Bureau of Investigation


FBI Field Office       Phone Number     FBI Field Office       Phone Number
----------------       ------------     ----------------       ------------
Albany, NY              518-465-7551    Memphis, TN            901-747-4300
Albuquerque, NM         505-224-2000    Miami, FL              305-944-9101
Anchorage, AK           907-258-5322    Milwaukee, WI          414-276-4684
Atlanta, GA             404-679-9000    Minneapolis, MN        612-376-3200
Baltimore, MD           410-265-8080    Mobile, AL             334-438-3674
Birmingham, AL          205-252-7705    Newark, NJ             201-622-5613
Boston, MA              617-742-5533    New Haven, CT          203-777-6311
Buffalo, NY             716-856-7800    New Orleans, LA        504-522-4671
Charlotte, NC           704-377-9200    New York City, NY      212-384-1000
Chicago, IL             312-431-1333    Norfolk, VA            804-455-0100
Cincinnati, OH          513-421-4310    Oklahoma City, OK      405-842-7471
Cleveland, OH           216-522-1400    Omaha, NE              402-493-8688
Columbia, SC            803-254-3011    Philadelphia, PA       215-829-2700
Dallas, TX              214-720-2200    Phoenix, AZ            602-279-5511
Denver, CO              303-629-7171    Pittsburgh, PA         412-471-2000
Detroit, Ml             313-965-2323    Portland, OR           503-224-4181
El Paso, TX             915-533-7451    Richmond, VA           804-261-1044
Honolulu, HI            808-521-1411    Sacramento, CA         916-481-9110
Houston, TX             713-868-2266    St. Louis, MO          314-241-5357
Indianapolis, IN        317-639-3301    Salt Lake City, UT     801-579-1400
Jackson, MS             601-948-5000    San Antonio, TX        210-225-6741
Jacksonville, FL        904-721-1211    San Diego, CA          619-565-1255
Kansas City, MO         816-221-6100    San Francisco, CA      415-553-7400
Knoxville, TN           423-544-0751    San Juan, PR           809-754-6000
Las Vegas, NV           702-385-1281    Seattle, WA            206-622-0460
Little Rock, AR         501-221-9100    Springfield, IL        217-522-9675
Los Angeles, CA         310-477-6565    Tampa, FL              813-273-4566
Louisville, KY          502-583-3941    Washington Metro, DC   202-252-7801