Tom's Thoughts - Thirty-three shots fired!"

Here is the latest update on the shooting at the Streams of Hope Ministry on 60th Street, just outside of Kentwood.

MarShon Peoples has been identified as the victim of the shooting. He appears very lucky having been shot in the head. Apparently the bullet must have been lodged between the skull bone and the scalp. I have only seen that one other time in my career. Usually things turn out much worst. Praise God!

The article goes on to identify a 16 year old male, Jawon Martin. None the article addresses him by name and I found that rather interesting as normally juveniles are shielded from the press for a variety of reasons. In addition, although the article indicates he has not been charged as the shooter, it did indicate he turned himself in to the Kent County Jail. Hmmmmm, seems to me there must be more than meets the eye currently.

Here is the link:

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/01/pastor_says_he_dialed_911_at_s.html

I also recall that with as many shots fired as there were either bullet holes or shell casings found, that there are probably several shooters out there.

Both MarShon and his wife Heavenly Peoples (isn't that a nice name, "Heavenly Peoples"?) have great hearts. Please keep them in your prayers. And while you are at it, pray against this violence and for ways to change the course of these young people that behave in this way. To be that young, having access to guns and cars on a Friday evening begs me to ask, where is adult or parental supervision?

If you are involved in church safety or security ministry, it pays to keep track of these incidents. It is important to review these matters and to be proactive in addressing the possible risks your ministry may face.

We here at HOWSN are available to talk about these things and to make recommendations or offer suggestions.

Be aware. Be prepared. Be protected.

Blessings,

Tom

www.howsn.net

Tom's Thoughts - Praise God No One Killed and Only One Hurt!

Last Friday evening around 11 PM, January 6th, a group of eight party crashers attempted to gain entry to an event at The Streams of Hope Ministry in Kentwood. This group of eight was asked to leave and admittance was not offered to them. It seems to me that the gift of discernment was present as what transpired certainly speaks to that. As this group began to leave, at least one of them pulled a firearm and began shooting. It is said that twenty five shots were fired. Normally one concealed firearm does not contain twenty five rounds of ammunition. I am going to suspect we may learn more about this aspect soon.

Praise God no one was killed. Praise God only one person was hurt, the youth leader and he is expected to fully recover.

It must have been sounding like a war zone there, twenty five rounds?

This article I attach is one that I agree with. This clearly demonstrates the need for community outreach.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/01/youth_center_shooting_demonstr.html

I believe this party crashing group stopped by in search of something. I believe they just don't know it is that something only God can fill. Places like Streams of Hope offer just that to others, hope and joy and peace and relationships with others and with God. That place stands against violence but yet the evil one does not want that to happen and has negatively influenced these young party crashers.

Please support Streams of Hope with your prayers, with your words of encouragement and with your finances as you are able to. The mission of this group is truly loving and caring.

Please pray for those young people traumatized by this event. Pray for the complete healing of the youth leader.

Pray too that the criminals that perpetrated this crime come to justice. Above all pray that they open hearts to God to be in their lives and revert from these types of behaviors.

Now, we all must check our risks and threats. We all in our ministries need to take actions to mitigate the risks we face. I believe God offers these situations to glean positive methods to lessen these incidents. Let's take time to analyze and be introspective. Please share your thoughts or give me a call. I have some ideas that are low budget in nature to help protect.

Be aware. Be prepared. Be protected.

Be Blessed and Thank You God.

Tom

Tom's Thoughts - All Responsible Adults Provide Safety and Security!

There was a WOOD TV 8 story on line recently depicting information surrounding an incident where a man approached a teacher in an attempt to take a student from them. This occurred at Forest Hills Public Schools' Collins Elementary, in Grand Rapids Township.

The child's parents had not given consent for anyone to be picking up the child and the man was NOT allowed to leave with the child. It seems this man knew the child by name.

Kudos for the teacher standing their ground!

Here is the link:

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/KCSD-Man-tried-to-pick-up-student

Churches can become targets for this type of activity too! Please instruct and make aware your Children's Ministry workers of the need to be polite but yet firm when it comes to situations of these types. We all play a role in making sure our children are kept safe and secure. Remember to support the policies and processes employed by your House of Worship as it relates to this very important blessing.

Be aware. Be prepared. Be protected.

Blessings all around!

Tom

Tom's Thoughts - Man Uses Hammer to Damage Church Statues

This story comes from the Cheektowaga, NY area and the St. Philip the Apostle R. C. Church on Losson road. It seems police have arrested Michael Taylor for damaging and defacing three historic statues. It seems police questioned him and learned of his involvement. He was reading the bible about false gods and idols and said, "God's law superseded man's law." He was denied bail until a psychological exam could be performed.

Here is the link:

http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/Man-Confesses-to-Church-Vandalism-Says-Hell-Be-Rewarded-by-God-129693968.html

As security people, it pays to be speaking to others and building relationships. It is important that people can speak to you about issues they are feeling or maybe of issues that others are feeling. I am not sure that Michael Taylor would have expressed his thoughts about people worshiping or making too much out over the statues he damaged, but we certainly should try.

We need to understand that people experience feelings on topics and some times the feelings are extreme. Understanding that people can experience these extreme feelings may help us prevent issues or problems.

Be aware. Be prepared. Be protected.

Blessings!

Tom

Tom's Thoughts - Kinda' Reminds Me of People Who Set "Spring Guns"

This article comes from the Irwin, Pennsylvania area. It seems thieves who broke into a church to steal set off a tear gas cannister near the church safe. The theft involving more than $7,000 of property or items of value were stolen from Immaculate Conception Church's administration building.

Police indicate entry was made into the building through a basement door. They then rode an elevator to the business office to get to the safe placing it in the elevatorfor the return trip. However, this safe had a mechanism to release tear gas when tampering was detected. The news article indicates that water bottles were scattered about the area leading investigators to believe they rinsed their eyes with water after getting sprayed. It actual is kind of funny and in some ways makes one feel a little better.

Here is the link:

http://www.wtae.com/r/28408038/detail.html

Have you conducted a risk and vulnerability assessment on your church or house of worship? Just by reading the details here, I am lead to believe that someone within this group of theives knew about the safe and how to enter the building. It is important for you to think in many ways like someone who wishes to steal so you can better see where you are vulnerable. Take some time to do so. It pays off!

Should you have any questions about assessments, feel free to contact us at the House of Worship Security Network. We want to help your church be safer and more secure.

Our phone number is 1-877-656-1672.

Remember, be aware, be prepared, be protected!

Blessings,

Tom