Across the DMV and around the country, churches, synagogues and temples spent the week tightening security ahead of Easter services scheduled for April 3–5, 2026. Extra patrols, volunteer safety teams and stricter entry procedures are all in play as congregational leaders try to let people celebrate the holiday without spending the service worrying about who is coming through the door.
DMV congregations coordinate with police
Some congregations have lined up active-shooter and crowd-management trainings with local law enforcement and have added both volunteer and paid security at entrances as services draw larger-than-usual crowds, according to FOX 5 DC. Pastors told local reporters they are working to balance a welcoming atmosphere with practical precautions, asking volunteers to show up earlier and run quick safety drills before worship begins.
County funding, patrols and quick grants
In Montgomery County, officials announced an emergency $500,000 boost to the county’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help synagogues, mosques, churches and other nonprofits hire short-term security and off-duty officers, county leaders said. WTOP reported the money is restricted to staffing costs and must be spent within 90 days.
Recent attacks pushed vigilance higher
Faith leaders point to a run of recent threats and attacks nationwide as the backdrop for treating this Easter as a higher-risk weekend. The Associated Press detailed the March 12 attack at Temple Israel in Michigan and the national security briefings that followed, and reported that community groups urged houses of worship to review their emergency plans. Security networks convened briefing sessions and offered training and intelligence to local institutions, including a national session hosted by the Secure Community Network.
Federal guidance and grants
Federal agencies and security organizations have rolled out checklists and training resources for houses of worship, suggesting straightforward steps like limiting access to fixed entry points, screening visitors and mapping out evacuation plans. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency maintains a resource hub specifically for faith communities, and FEMA runs the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help pay for physical upgrades and safety training. CISA and FEMA lay out how-to guides and grant details for congregations looking to shore up security.
What worshippers should expect
People heading to Good Friday and Easter services should be prepared to see more uniformed officers or contracted guards at doors, volunteers checking bags and IDs, and in some cases temporary traffic restrictions near larger venues. The Metropolitan Police Department designated several juvenile curfew zones for the holiday weekend, and FOX 5 DC noted those curfews will be in effect during key evening hours.
“We will not be defined by the violence done to us,” Rabbi Josh Bennett told the Associated Press as his Michigan congregation recovered from the March attack. The outlet reported that faith leaders are calling for preparedness so worship can continue while keeping congregants safe.
