To shore up defenses against rising security threats targeting religious institutions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office orchestrated a forum named “Protecting Places of Worship.” The gathering brought together community faith leaders and law enforcement officials to strategize on bolstering safety for spiritual venues amidst intensified threats.

Notably, key speakers at the event highlighted the need for strong partnerships between local authorities and religious organizations. The focus was on sharing best practices for threat assessment and emergency response, including how to handle active shooter situations. CRS and the Department of Homeland Security stepped in to offer a bird' s-eye view of the federal support available to religious groups, which ranges from grants to consultative services.

Per the U.S. Attorney's Office, discussions at the forum transcended physical security measures to tackle interfaith respect and mutual understanding. Religious leaders detailed their concerns about the uptick in hate crimes, expressing the need for robust trust and collaboration with law enforcement for rapid and effective action against such threats.