Congregations Mull How to Keep Sacred Spaces Safe

From Erie-

While the Pittsburgh shooting was the latest and the closest to home for Erie-area congregations, many were already thinking about security before the 2018 massacre.

The Rev. John Downey, dean of Erie's Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, said his church hasn't made recent changes to security measures, some of which have been in place for about a decade. They include security cameras and a hired security person who watches the doors during Sunday services.

Downey said the cathedral has so far resisted putting up barriers to people by locking doors during the day, except if only one or two staff members are present.

"We're the kind of place that gets walk-ins," he said.

But he understands sites that have locked their doors.

At Almakarim Islamic Foundation, also in Erie, nothing was changed as a result of the Pittsburgh shooting.

More here-

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2019-03-02/congregations-mull-how-to-keep-sacred-spaces-safe