Houses of worship throughout the country are increasing security in response to deadly attacks on religious communities, using methods honed by law enforcement and protective agencies to shield their congregants from targeted violence, according to security experts.
Religious leaders have worked in recent months with specialists to install bulletproof film on windows, reinforce doors, erect fences and bollards in parking lots, and set up surveillance systems designed to detect potential threats during services. One security consultant said he had placed ballistic material in a pulpit to protect a pastor who was worried about armed threats.
