One of the greatest advantages a church safety team possesses is the ability to recognize trouble before violence begins.

Most acts of violence do not occur completely without warning. In many cases, individuals display behaviors that suggest they are preparing themselves mentally or physically for what they intend to do. These behaviors are often referred to as pre-attack indicators.

Recognizing these indicators does not mean someone is necessarily a threat. It means they deserve additional observation and, when appropriate, a calm and professional response.

Learn to Read the "Tells"

A skilled baseball player studies the pitcher before the ball is ever thrown.

Does he grip the ball differently?

Does he change his stance?

Does he slow his delivery?

Experienced hitters learn to recognize these subtle clues—or "tells"—that help them anticipate what is coming.

The same principle applies to church security.

Our goal is not to predict the future with certainty. Our goal is to recognize behaviors that may indicate someone needs closer observation.

Watchmen learn to see what others overlook.

Common Pre-Attack Indicators

No single behavior proves harmful intent, but several indicators together may warrant increased attention.

Nervous or Unusual Behavior

• Repeatedly scanning the room instead of participating.

• Appearing unusually anxious or agitated.

• Pacing or unable to remain still.

• Heavy breathing without an obvious cause.

Unusual Interest in Security

• Watching entrances and exits more than the service.

• Closely observing safety team members or cameras.

• Testing doors or restricted areas.

• Asking unusual questions about security procedures.

Clothing or Equipment That Seems Out of Place

• Heavy clothing inconsistent with the weather.

• Bulky clothing that appears to conceal objects.

• Oversized bags or backpacks brought into unexpected areas.

(These observations should always be considered in context. There are many innocent reasons for clothing or carrying bags.)

Behavioral Changes

• Avoiding eye contact while appearing unusually focused on the environment.

• Repeatedly entering and leaving the building.

• Separating from companions for unexplained reasons.

• Fixating on a particular person or location.

Indicators of Stress or Commitment

• Clenched fists.

• Tight jaw.

• Rapid head movement.

• Repeatedly touching pockets, waistband, or bags.

• Talking to oneself or appearing emotionally overwhelmed.

Dry Runs or Probing

• Visiting without participating.

• Walking through areas without a clear purpose.

• Photographing entrances or security features without an obvious reason.

• Returning multiple times over several days to observe the facility.

Remember the Rule

One indicator rarely means anything.

Multiple indicators occurring together deserve attention.

Always evaluate the totality of the circumstances rather than focusing on a single behavior.

"I'll Just Shoot it Down!"  

If you've been around old-timers very long and ever started a conversation about strange drones buzzing about in the evening sky, you've probably heard someone say—usually with a grin and more than a little tongue-in-cheek—"I'll just shoot it down!"

Truthfully, however, there is an emerging threat that church safety teams should be aware of: menacing drones.

Most drones are operated by hobbyists, photographers, or individuals with completely legitimate purposes. But recent events around the world have demonstrated that drones can also be used for surveillance, disruption, harassment, intelligence gathering, and even as weapons platforms.

As watchmen, we must understand both the potential threat and the legal realities surrounding drones. The question is no longer if we will encounter drones around our churches and public events, but when. The question we must answer is: What should we do when we do?

With the increasing availability and capabilities of consumer drones, church safety teams need to begin thinking seriously about how these devices could impact our ministries and public events.

Most drones are operated by hobbyists, photographers, or individuals with legitimate purposes. However, recent events around the world have demonstrated that drones can also be used for surveillance, disruption, harassment, or even as weapons platforms.

As watchmen, we must be prepared to recognize potential threats while also understanding the legal limitations surrounding drone incidents.

Potential Threats

A drone operating over church property may be completely innocent—but it may also be gathering intelligence.

Safety Team members should be aware that drones could potentially be used for:

• Conducting surveillance of church facilities, entrances, and security procedures.

• Recording Safety Team movements and response patterns.

• Harassing or disrupting outdoor services or special events.

• Delivering or dropping hazardous materials.

• Creating panic among crowds.

Warning Signs

Be particularly alert if you observe:

• A drone repeatedly flying over church property.

• A drone hovering directly above crowds, playgrounds, or children's activities.

• A drone flying unusually low or aggressively.

• A drone carrying an unusual payload or attachment.

• Individuals operating drones from concealed or suspicious locations nearby.

So... Can We Shoot It Down?

The short answer is: Generally, no.

Under federal law, drones are considered aircraft. Damaging, destroying, or interfering with an aircraft can result in significant criminal and civil penalties.

Simply put, if a drone is annoying, suspicious, or trespassing over church property, that alone does not give private citizens legal authority to shoot it down.

But What If It Is A Life-Threatening Situation?

As with virtually any use-of-force situation, the primary question is not, "Is it a drone?" but rather, "Does it present an immediate and unavoidable threat to human life?"

If a drone is clearly being used as a deadly weapon—for example, if it is actively attempting to injure people or appears to be carrying an explosive or incendiary device—the focus shifts from protecting property to protecting innocent life.

In such a circumstance, individuals may have to make decisions based upon the totality of the circumstances, just as they would during any other deadly-force encounter.

Each situation is unique, and Safety Team members should immediately:

1. Notify law enforcement.

2. Move people to cover or indoors if possible.

3. Evacuate or disperse crowds as circumstances dictate.

4. Maintain observation of the drone and attempt to identify the operator.

5. Prepare to protect life if an imminent deadly threat exists.

Recommended Response For Most Incidents

For the overwhelming majority of drone encounters:

• Observe and document.

• Notify church leadership.

• Attempt to identify the operator.

• Record descriptions, photographs, or video if possible.

• Contact local law enforcement if the activity appears suspicious or threatening.

Technology continues to change, but the biblical responsibility of the watchman remains the same:

Why Safety Teams Must Never Assume

Sunday evening service had been underway for nearly fifty-five minutes and and your shift was almost over.  You are now glancing up at the clock as you feel like you are pretty much in the clear.  The last stragglers had arrived more than twenty minutes ago.  They were usherd into the back of the auditorium and all the doors had been checked and secured.  You check down the corridor and notice station 2 watch is clear.  The halls are clear except for the few usual mamas dealing with babies and a couple of bathroom visitors.  The congregation was safely inside the audiorium and the preacher was clearly nearing the end of his message and preparing to give the invitation. Another quiet evening. Another successful watch. Or so you thought.

Suddenly, the parking lot watch radioed, "Unknown vehicle arrived and parked in the rear parking lot." You acknowledged the transmission and directed a rover to investigate. A few moments later he radioed back, "They dropped people off for church earlier. They're here to pick them up." "Copy." No problem. No threat. Just another routine interaction.  You settle back in, just a few more minutes and church will be out and another Sunday Service will be in the books as another "no-incident" Service and you can again confidently say, "not on my watch"!.  

But then something happens that throws you for a loop.  Your confidence is suddenly shaken as another unfamiliar vehicle entered the property. This one parked well away from the building. From your position in the foyer, you observed several young people—perhaps teenagers or young adults—exit the vehicle carrying large cardboard signs. You couldn't read the signs. You didn't recognize the vehicle. You didn't recognize the individuals. Immediately questions flooded your mind. Who are they? What are those signs? Why did they park so far away? Why are they arriving this late? They certainly do not appear to be attending church.

Just as you were getting ready to hit the radio button, you notice that the group disappeared behind the bushes and trees that border the front of the church property. Now you have lost visual contact. You have unknown individuals on church property doing unknown things for unknown reasons. What do you do? Do you leave your post? Do you send someone to investigate? Do you simply watch and see what happens?

If human nature is any indication, many people would do exactly that—they would watch and wait. After all, most unusual activity turns out to be nothing. But safety ministry cannot be built upon assumptions. In today's environment, houses of worship have become targets for violence, vandalism, protests, disruptions, and criminal activity. We cannot afford to dismiss unusual behavior simply because nothing bad has happened before.

As safety team members, we serve as watchmen on the wall. The watchman's responsibility is not merely to watch. It is to discover. It is to identify. It is to investigate. It is to know. The people inside the building cannot see what is happening outside the walls. That responsibility belongs to us. We are there to observe what others cannot observe, to learn what others do not know, and, when necessary, to insert ourselves into an unknown situation so that it becomes a known situation.

In this case, our team followed a simple plan. A rover was dispatched to investigate while the remaining team members stayed at their assigned posts. At the same time, a message was sent through our team WhatsApp group advising everyone that an unknown white truck had arrived and that several individuals had exited carrying cardboard signs. The entire team was immediately informed and alert.

The result? The mystery was quickly solved. The young people were simply posting "Puppies for Sale" signs near the street corner. No threat. No danger. No incident. Just puppies for sale.

This time.

The truth is that ninety-nine percent of unusual encounters will likely turn out exactly like this one. Nothing. But we do not train for the ninety-nine percent. We train for the one percent. History reminds us why.

In 1991, a gunman drove his vehicle through the front window of a crowded cafeteria in Texas and began one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. Before the attack, employees and patrons noticed that something seemed unusual about him. Yet nobody imagined the horrific violence that was only moments away. The tragedy claimed twenty-three innocent lives and injured many others. One survivor, who lost both of her parents that day, later became a leading voice in Texas concealed carry reform because she understood a painful truth: preparation only matters before the crisis begins. Once the shooting starts, it is too late to prepare.

The same principle applies to church safety. Complacency is the enemy. The longer nothing happens, the easier it becomes to believe nothing ever will happen. That mindset is dangerous. One day the unusual vehicle may not be posting puppies-for-sale signs. One day the unknown individuals may not have innocent intentions. One day the strange behavior may be the warning sign that prevents a tragedy. Our job is not to assume. Our job is to know.

What should we do when faced with unusual activity? 

1.  Never assume it is nothing. Most suspicious activity will turn out to be harmless, but that does not mean it should be ignored. Every unusual circumstance deserves evaluation until facts prove otherwise. 

2. Check it out.  Unknown activity requires investigation—not recklessly, not aggressively, but professionally, respectfully, and intentionally. If you do not investigate, you cannot know. 

3. Communicate with your team. A well-informed team is a prepared team. When unusual activity occurs, ensure everyone knows what is happening. Communication multiplies awareness. 

4. Remain vigilant until the mission is complete. Many incidents occur at the beginning or end of events when people mentally relax and let their guard down. Stay engaged until the last person is safely gone. 

5. Develop a culture of alertness. Not paranoia. Not fear. Preparedness. The goal is not to expect trouble. The goal is to be ready if trouble arrives.

The signs were only advertising puppies for sale. But the lesson they taught was worth far more. Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay ready. Because one day it may not be puppies for sale.