Michigan State Police holds place of worship security training

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – A training session was held Wednesday aiming to keep places of worship safe across mid-Michigan.

There have been ongoing threats against many places of worship, not only in Lansing but across the United States. Michigan State Police has come together with over 50 attendants to teach new skills and training to make sure these places of worship are safe.

“It’s a nationwide problem as far as these active shooters that go into these places of worship. They’re soft targets typically, and so we are looking into how we can firm those up and make them safer,” said Deputy Sergeant David Williams of Michigan State Police

In East Lansing, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue faced several threats during 2023, and most recently, a shooting occurred at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Texas last week.

Detective Sergeant David Williams of Michigan State Police says some of what the 8-hour training covered was creating a security team and plan, medical including emergencies that don’t involve an active shooter, and information on concealed weapons in a place of worship.

Stephanie Whiteside is on the bishop security team at the Lansing Church of God in Christ.

She says as more places of worship have become targets, it’s important to protect members.

“It’s scary because I personally feel that the church is my refuge and where I go for safety,” said Whiteside.

She learned about the use of technology in active shooter situations and will use that information to prepare a plan.

“Computers are used a lot more, and some of the shooters have manifest that they’ve put on a computer, and so you have to be able to tie into that,” said Whiteside.

Building a culture of safety and awareness in hopes of preventing dangers where many find sanctuary.

State police hope to expand the training beyond Wednesday’s 50 registered participants because of the high demand for the session.

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